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linked lists trees

A LevelComputer Science~4 min read

Overview

This lesson introduces two fundamental dynamic data structures: Linked Lists and Trees. We will explore their structures, operations, and compare their advantages and disadvantages over static arrays, highlighting their importance in efficient data management.

Introduction to Linked Lists

A **Linked List** is a dynamic linear data structure where elements are not stored at contiguous memory locations. Instead, each element, called a **node**, contains two parts: the actual **data** and a **pointer (or reference)** to the next node in the sequence. The last node in the list typically ...

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Key Concepts

  • Linked List: A linear data structure where elements are not stored at contiguous memory locations; instead, each element (node) points to the next.
  • Node: The basic building block of a linked list or tree, containing data and one or more pointers/references.
  • Pointer/Reference: A variable that stores the memory address of another variable or data structure.
  • Tree: A non-linear hierarchical data structure consisting of nodes connected by edges, with a single root node.
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Exam Tips

  • Be able to draw and label diagrams of different types of linked lists (singly, doubly) and binary trees, showing how pointers connect nodes.
  • Understand and be able to trace the steps for common operations like insertion and deletion in a linked list, and all three traversal methods for a binary tree.
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