IB Computer Science Topic B4.1.3 Constructing and Applying Linked Lists: Singly, Doubly, and Circular Revision Notes (HL)

IB Computer Science Topic B4.1.3 Constructing and Applying Linked Lists: Singly, Doubly, and Circular Revision Notes (HL) | RevisionDojo

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Constructing and Applying Linked Lists: Singly, Doubly, and Circular (HL Only)

Singly Linked Lists

A singly linked list is a collection of nodes, where each node contains:

Data: The value or information stored in the node.
Pointer: A reference to the next node in the sequence.

Note

The head is the first node in the list, and the tail is the last node, which points to null, indicating the end of the list.

Common Mistake

Forgetting to update the head pointer when inserting or deleting at the beginning.
Thinking insertion at the end is always O(1): it’s O(n) unless a tail pointer is maintained.
Losing access to the rest of the list when deleting a node (not updating pointers correctly).
Confusing traversal with direct access (linked lists don’t support O(1) random access like arrays).

Operations on a Singly Linked List

Insertion
1. At the Beginning: O(1) time complexity.
2. At the End: O(n) time complexity, unless a tail pointer is maintained, which allows O(1) insertion.
Deletion
1. Head Node: O(1) time complexity.
2. Other Nodes: O(n) time complexity, as it requires finding the preceding node.
Traversal
1. Visiting all nodes from head to tail: O(n) time complexity.
Search
1. Finding a node by value: O(n) time complexity in the worst case.

Tip

When inserting at the end of a singly linked list, maintaining a tail pointer can significantly improve efficiency by reducing the time complexity from O(n) to O(1).

Doubly Linked Lists

A doubly linked list extends the functionality of a singly linked list by allowing each node to have references to both the next and previous nodes.

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Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

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Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

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Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

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Constructing and Applying Linked Lists: Singly, Doubly, and Circular (HL Only)

Singly Linked Lists

A singly linked list is a collection of nodes, where each node contains:

Data: The value or information stored in the node.
Pointer: A reference to the next node in the sequence.

Note

The head is the first node in the list, and the tail is the last node, which points to null, indicating the end of the list.

Common Mistake

Forgetting to update the head pointer when inserting or deleting at the beginning.
Thinking insertion at the end is always O(1): it’s O(n) unless a tail pointer is maintained.
Losing access to the rest of the list when deleting a node (not updating pointers correctly).
Confusing traversal with direct access (linked lists don’t support O(1) random access like arrays).

Operations on a Singly Linked List

Insertion
1. At the Beginning: O(1) time complexity.
2. At the End: O(n) time complexity, unless a tail pointer is maintained, which allows O(1) insertion.
Deletion
1. Head Node: O(1) time complexity.
2. Other Nodes: O(n) time complexity, as it requires finding the preceding node.
Traversal
1. Visiting all nodes from head to tail: O(n) time complexity.
Search
1. Finding a node by value: O(n) time complexity in the worst case.

Tip

When inserting at the end of a singly linked list, maintaining a tail pointer can significantly improve efficiency by reducing the time complexity from O(n) to O(1).

Doubly Linked Lists

A doubly linked list extends the functionality of a singly linked list by allowing each node to have references to both the next and previous nodes.

Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

A1 Computer fundamentals4 subtopics

A2 Networks4 subtopics

A3 Databases4 subtopics

A4 Machine learning4 subtopics

B1 Computational thinking1 subtopic

B2 Programming5 subtopics

B3 Object-oriented programming2 subtopics

B4 Abstract data types (HL only)1 subtopic

IB Computer Science Topic B4.1.3: Constructing and Applying Linked Lists: Singly, Doubly, and Circular Notes

A1 Computer fundamentals4 subtopics

A2 Networks4 subtopics

A3 Databases4 subtopics

A4 Machine learning4 subtopics

B1 Computational thinking1 subtopic

B2 Programming5 subtopics

B3 Object-oriented programming2 subtopics

B4 Abstract data types (HL only)1 subtopic

Constructing and Applying Linked Lists: Singly, Doubly, and Circular (HL Only)

Singly Linked Lists

Operations on a Singly Linked List

Doubly Linked Lists

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Constructing and Applying Linked Lists: Singly, Doubly, and Circular (HL Only)

Singly Linked Lists

Operations on a Singly Linked List

Doubly Linked Lists

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account