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What is "linked" in computer science?

Mar 1, 2024

What is "linked" in computer science?

In computer science, "linked" often refers to the concept of linked data structures, such as linked lists, where elements are connected or "linked" to each other using pointers or references. Each element in a linked list contains a data value and a pointer to the next element, creating a chain-like structure. Linked data structures are dynamic, meaning they can grow or shrink at runtime, and they allow for efficient insertion and deletion of elements.

Linked Data Structures

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Linked List: A sequence of nodes where each node contains data and a reference to the next node in the sequence

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Doubly Linked List: Similar to a linked list, but each node has two references, one to the next node and one to the previous node

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Tree: A hierarchical data structure with nodes linked in a parent-child relationship

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Graph: A collection of nodes connected by edges, where nodes may be linked to multiple other nodes

Linked data structures are fundamental in computer science because they provide the basis for many complex data handling and manipulation algorithms.