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Chapter 17: Problem 3

To indicate that a linked list is empty, you should set the pointer to its head to the value __________.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: To indicate that a linked list is empty, you should set the pointer to its head to the value 'null'.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Linked Lists

A linked list is a linear data structure made of nodes that store data and hold a reference (a pointer) to the next node in the sequence. The first node in the sequence is called the head. When a linked list is empty, it means there are no nodes in the list.
02

Indicating an Empty Linked List

To indicate that a linked list is empty, you should set the pointer to its head to a specific value. This value should represent that there is no valid node in the list.
03

Assigning a Null Value to the Head Pointer

In most programming languages, we can use a special value called 'null' to indicate "no reference" or "no value." By setting the head pointer of the linked list to 'null', we can indicate that there are no nodes in the list and the linked list is empty. So, to indicate that a linked list is empty, you should set the pointer to its head to the value 'null'.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Using the ListNode structure introduced in this chapter, write a function void printFirst(ListNode *ptr) that prints the value stored in the first node of a list passed to it as parameter. The function should print an error message and terminate the program if the list passed to it is empty.

You are the leader of a programming team. You want the programmers on your team to attend a two-day workshop on linked lists, stacks and queues. One of the managers points out that the STL already supplies each one of those data structures, making it unnecessary for your programmers to write their own. Write the manager a short memo that justifies the need for the workshop.

Write a function ListNode *removeFirst(ListNode *ptr) that is passed a linked list as parameter, and returns the tail of the list: that is, it removes the first node and returns what is left. The function should deal locate the storage of the removed node. The function returns NULL if the list passed to it is empty.

A data structure that points to an object of the same type as itself is known as a(n) __________ data structure.

Write a function void printSecond(ListNode *ptr) that prints the value stored in the second node of a list passed to it as parameter. The function should print an error message and terminate the program if the list passed to it has less than two nodes.
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