Last Updated on July 27, 2023 by Mayank Dham
As we are aware, a linked list is a linear data structure, which means it does not store elements contiguously. A doubly linked list is another linear data structure, resembling a singly linked list, but with an additional pointer in each node that stores the address of the previous node corresponding to that node. Let’s see some of the advantages and disadvantages of doubly linked list.
Doubly Linked List
In a doubly linked list, nodes are equipped with two pointers: one pointing to the previous node and the other to the next node. This dual-pointer structure facilitates seamless traversal in both forward and reverse directions, ensuring swift insertion and deletion of nodes. Unlike singly linked lists, doubly linked lists offer convenient bidirectional navigation, making them highly advantageous in a wide range of programming applications.
Advantages of Doubly Linked List
Here, are the advantages of doubly linked list:
Here,are the advantages of doubly linked list over singly linked list:
- Bidirectional traversal: Doubly linked lists allow traversal in both forward and reverse directions due to the presence of two pointers (previous and next) in each node. This bidirectional navigation simplifies various operations and can be particularly useful in scenarios where backward traversal is needed.
- Efficient node deletion: Deleting a node from a doubly linked list is more efficient than in a singly linked list. Since each node has a pointer to its previous node, removing a node does not require traversing the entire list to find the previous node, as it does in singly linked lists.
- Ease of insertion/deletion at both ends: Doubly linked lists enable quick insertion and deletion at both the beginning and end of the list. This is advantageous in situations where frequent addition or removal of elements is required at the list’s edges.
- Enhanced flexibility: The presence of two pointers in each node provides greater flexibility in manipulating the list. It simplifies tasks such as list merging, splitting, and reordering, which can be more complex in singly linked lists.
- Backtracking in algorithms: In certain algorithms or data structures, backtracking is essential. Doubly linked lists allow efficient backtracking as they provide easy access to the previous nodes.
Disadvantages of Doubly Linked List
Here, are the disadvantages of doubly linked list:
- It requires more memory to store the extra pointers.
- It is a more complex implementation than single-linked lists.
- They required extra operations to maintain the integrity of the list.
- It is slower traversal than arrays for random access.
- Compared to a singly linked list, each node stores an extra pointer which consumes extra memory.
- Operations require more time due to the overhead of handling extra pointers as compared to singly-linked lists.
- No random access to elements.
Uses of a Doubly Linked List
Here, are the uses of a doubly linked list:
- It can be used to implement various other data structures like hash tables, stacks, binary trees, etc.
- It can be used to implement functionalities such as undo/redo.
- It can be used in any software which requires forward and backward navigation e.g. music players, web browsers to move between previously visited and current pages, etc.
- Used by a thread scheduler in many operating systems to maintain a list of all running processes.
- Can also be used in games e.g. representing a deck of cards.
Advantages of Doubly Linked List Over Singly Linked List
Here,are the advantages of doubly linked list over singly linked list:
- It enables efficient reverse traversal.
- They allows for faster deletion of nodes.
- It provides more flexibility in certain algorithms and data structures.
- It is more reflexive and easier to use in certain programming applications.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Doubly Linked List
Here, are some of the advantages and disadvantages of doubly linked list:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| 1. It is bi-directional traversal | 1. Increased memory usage |
| 2. It is efficient deletion | 2. More complex implementation |
| 3. Insertion and deletion at both ends in constant time | 3. It is slower traversal |
Conclusion
In summary, a doubly linked list is a data structure that facilitates bidirectional traversal and efficient insertion/deletion operations. It comprises nodes that contain data along with two pointers, one pointing to the previous node and the other to the next node. Doubly linked lists present certain advantages compared to singly linked lists, such as simpler reverse traversal and faster node deletion. However, it is important to note that they consume more memory due to the additional pointers they maintain.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs):
Q1. What are the different types of linked lists?
Ans: Different types of linked lists are:
- Singly-linked list
- Doubly linked list
- Circular linked list
Q2. What are the advantages of a linked list?
Ans: The advantages of a linked list are:
- Linked lists are dynamic.
- In the linked list, the insertion, and deletion operations are very fast.
- Also, the utilization of memory is used efficiently.
Q3. What is a doubly linked list?
Ans: It is a type of linked list in which every node consists of data, the previous pointer, and the next pointer of the node.
Q4. Can a doubly linked list be a circular linked list?
Ans: Yes, a doubly linked list can be a circular linked list if the last node of the doubly linked list is connected to the first node of the linked list.
Q5. What are the advantages of doubly linked list?
Ans: The advantages of doubly linked list allows for efficient traversal in both forward and reverse directions, faster deletion of nodes, and provides more flexibility in certain algorithms and data structures.
Q6. How doubly linked list overcome singly linked list?
Ans: A doubly linked list is better than a singly linked list in several ways. It allows for efficient reverse traversal, and faster deletion of nodes, and provides more flexibility in certain algorithms and data structures.
Q7. What are the advantages of using a doubly linked list over a singly linked list?
Ans: The advantages of using a doubly linked list over a singly linked list include the ability to efficiently traverse the list in both directions, faster deletion of nodes, and increased flexibility in certain programming applications.
Q8. Why is a doubly linked list a better choice than a singly linked list?
Ans: A doubly linked list is a better choice than a singly linked list in situations where efficient reverse traversal, fast deletion of nodes, and increased flexibility in algorithms and data structures are required.
Q9. In what methods would a doubly linked list be preferable to a singly linked list?
Ans: A doubly linked list would be preferable to a singly linked list in scenarios where efficient reverse traversal, fast deletion of nodes, and increased flexibility in algorithms and data structures are required.