Difference between Array and Linked List

The difference between arrays & linked lists is that arrays arе contiguous data structurеs that storе еlеmеnts of thе samе data typе in a fixed-size mеmory block. Whereas linkеd lists consist of nodes whеrе еach nodе contains data and a rеfеrеncе (pointеr) to thе nеxt nodе, allowing for dynamic sizing and еfficiеnt insеrtions/dеlеtions but requiring linear-timе travеrsal for accеss. 

• An array is a collection of a predetermined and fixed number of data objects. 
• The array method is used to keep the elements in adjacent memory places. 
• As a result, an array offers quick access to an element at a certain index.
•  Whereas, a linked list is a set of ordered data objects with a variable number of entries. 
• The way that an array and a linked list store and manipulate data is the major difference between an array and a linked list. 
• At build time, arrays allocate a fixed-size, contiguous block of memory, enabling direct access to elements through effective indexing. 
• On the other hand, linked lists dynamically allocate memory at runtime, enabling variable size modifications. 

Key Terms: Array, Linked lists, Difference between Array and Linked List, Stacks, Queues, Trees

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Array

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An array is a fixed collection of a predetermined number of data objects. In array arrangement, the elements are kept in adjacent memory places via an array. 

• Array arrangement is characterised by a simple arrangement of data objects, which makes it easy to determine their location. 
• As a result, an array offers quick access to an element at a certain index. 
• An array's size cannot be changed while it is running and arrays are given memory allocations during compilation. 
• Less memory is needed for arrays, however, actions like insertion, deletion, etc. take longer in an array.

Reading and Creating Array

Only one type of data can be contained in an array, such as all letters, all numbers, etc. The declaration for an array called arr that contains 10 integers is as follows:

Array arrangement

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Linked List

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A linked list is a set of ordered data with a variable number of entries. Linked lists are less rigid as compared to arrays since, here the elements are kept in non-contiguous locations. 

• Additionally, linked lists need extra values to refer to the subsequent element. 
• As a result, each node in the linked list points to the item after it. 
• The size of the linked list can be changed at run-time and a linked list is given memory at runtime. 
• In a linked list, operations like insertion and deletion happen quickly.

Creating linked list

In a linked list, every data element points to the following element. Each data element is referred to as a Node and has two fields: the data field and the pointer. While the pointer saves a reference to the following node, the Data field stores a value or piece of information. The Head Node is the first node in a linked list.

Advantages of Linked Lists

The advantages of linked lists are listed below:

• Linked lists have a variable size that can change as they are being used.
• In Linked Lists, Insertion and Deletion Operations are quick and simple.
• In linked lists, there is no need to allocate any fixed memory because memory is allocated at runtime.

Disadvantages of Linked Lists

The disadvantages of linked lists are:

• When compared to arrays, linked lists use more memory. Because it consumes more memory and because each node in a linked list includes a pointer.
• In linked lists, elements cannot be accessed arbitrarily.
• In singly linked lists, it is not feasible to traverse from the reverse.

Application of Linked Lists

Applications of linked lists are: 

• Stacks, Queues, and Trees can all be implemented using Linked Lists.
• Linked Lists can also be utilized to create graphs.
• Hash tables can be implemented using linked lists since each bucket can be a linked list.

Read More: Invertible Matrices

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Difference between Array and Linked Lists

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The following table highlights all the major differences between array and linked list 

Difference between array and linked lists

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Things to Remember

• A data structure called an array stores elements of the same data type in a series of adjacent memory regions.
• Each data element in an array has an associated index because they are index-based data structures.
• An array is a large block of memory that has been divided into smaller parts, each of which contains a value.
• A series of objects called Nodes make up a Linked List.
• Each node has two fields: one field holds data, and the other field (Pointer) contains an address that maintains a link to the node after it.
• One node is linked to the address of another node by a pointer (or reference) to the following node.
• An array and a linked list have fundamentally different structures. 
• In contrast to a linked list, which is built on references, an array relies on an index-based data structure. 

Read More: Tree Topology