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Main Uses of Linked List - (BCA / B.Tech)

Main Uses of Linked List in Data Structure:

A linked list is a very important data structure, useful for dynamic memory allocation and flexible data storage. With its help, tasks of data insertion, deletion, and management can be done quickly and efficiently.

Whether it's building stacks and queues or creating complex structures like graphs and trees, a linked list can be used in all these situations.

A linked list is a type of data structure in which data elements are organized in a linear or sequential manner, but their storage locations in memory are not sequential. Each node in it has two parts: Data and the address of the next node (Next Pointer).

The main purpose of a linked list is to store data in a flexible way, where dynamic memory allocation is possible. This data structure is used for solving various types of applications and problems.

1. Dynamic Memory Allocation

Linked lists are an excellent example of dynamic memory allocation. Memory is used when needed and can be allocated or deallocated freely. This is advantageous when we don't know in advance how much memory will be required.
Example: If we want to store records of an unknown number of students, we can use a linked list so that a node can be created for each new student that arrives.

2. Variable Size Data Structure

The biggest advantage of a linked list is that it is not fixed in size. As many nodes as are needed can be created. Therefore, a linked list proves to be a suitable structure when the amount of data in an application is unknown or changes.
Example: Linked lists can be used for data structures like stacks and queues in programming, where the amount of data cannot be predetermined.

3. Implementation of Stack and Queue

Linked lists can be used to create stack and queue data structures. Both stack (LIFO - Last In, First Out) and queue (FIFO - First In, First Out) are data structures used in various types of software applications.
The advantage of implementing stacks and queues with linked lists is the flexibility and reduced overhead in various operations.

4. Implementation of Graphs and Trees

Linked lists are used in the construction of complex data structures like graphs and trees. In binary trees, B-trees, and other tree structures, linked lists can be used to connect each node to other nodes.
Example: In a graph, an adjacency list, which is a linked list, is used to connect each node (called a vertex) to other nodes.

5. Efficient Memory Utilization

Another major benefit of linked lists is that memory is used efficiently. When we don't need memory, we can free it. In contrast, in an array, we have to allocate memory in advance, whether it is used or not.
A linked list allocates memory for the nodes that are needed, which ensures proper use of space.

6. Direct Insertion and Deletion

Linked lists offer the facility of direct insertion and deletion. Where in an array all elements have to be shifted for insertion or deletion, adding or removing nodes in a linked list is simple because it is a dynamic data structure.
Example: If we need to add or remove an element in the middle or at the end of a list, it can be done in very little time using a linked list.

7. For Experimental Data Structures

When we need to use experimental data structures or test new algorithms, using a linked list is easy and effective.
Example: Some software applications require frequent modification of complex data structures, where linked lists are quite beneficial.

8. Chaining in Hash Tables

Linked lists are used for chaining in hash tables. When a hash function maps more than one element to the same index, the chaining technique is used to avoid collisions. In this, each index has a linked list that stores all the elements that have been hashed to the same index.
Example: Linked lists are used to efficiently store and retrieve data in hash tables.

9. Sorted Data Storage

Linked lists can also be used to store sorted data. When data needs to be continuously sorted, a linked list can easily handle insertion and deletion operations, keeping the sorted data preserved.
Example: A linked list can be used to systematically store transaction records of a bank.

10. Real-Time Applications

Linked lists are used in many real-time applications, such as the list of next and previous songs in a music player, the history of previous pages in a browser, and tracking running processes in an operating system.

Main Uses of Linked List

Main Uses of Linked List in Data Structure:

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