Chapter

3
LINKED LISTS
In this chapter, the list data structure is presented. This structure can be used
as the basis for the implementation of other data structures (stacks, queues etc.).
The basic linked list can be used without modification in many programs.
However, some applications require enhancements to the linked list design.
These enhancements fall into three broad categories and yield variations on
linked lists that can be used in any combination: circular linked lists, double linked
lists and lists with header nodes.

Linked lists and arrays are similar since they both store collections of data. Array is the
most common data structure used to store collections of elements. Arrays are convenient
to declare and provide the easy syntax to access any element by its index number. Once
the array is set up, access to any element is convenient and fast. The disadvantages of
arrays are:

 The size of the array is fixed. Most often this size is specified at compile time.
This makes the programmers to allocate arrays, which seems "large enough"
than required.

 Inserting new elements at the front is potentially expensive because existing

elements need to be shifted over to make room.

 Deleting an element from an array is not possible.

Linked lists have their own strengths and weaknesses, but they happen to be strong
where arrays are weak. Generally array's allocates the memory for all its elements in one
block whereas linked lists use an entirely different strategy. Linked lists allocate memory
for each element separately and only when necessary.

Here is a quick review of the terminology and rules of pointers. The linked list code will
depend on the following functions:

malloc() is a system function which allocates a block of memory in the "heap" and
returns a pointer to the new block. The prototype of malloc() and other heap functions
are in stdlib.h. malloc() returns NULL if it cannot fulfill the request. It is defined by:

void *malloc (number_of_bytes)

Since a void * is returned the C standard states that this pointer can be converted to
any type. For example,
char *cp;
cp = (char *) malloc (100);

Attempts to get 100 bytes and assigns the starting address to cp. We can also use the
sizeof() function to specify the number of bytes. For example,

int *ip;
ip = (int *) malloc (100*sizeof(int));
free() is the opposite of malloc(), which de-allocates memory. The argument to free()
is a pointer to a block of memory in the heap — a pointer which was obtained by a
malloc() function. The syntax is:

free (ptr);

The advantage of free() is simply memory management when we no longer need a block.

3.1. Linked List Concepts:

A linked list is a non-sequential collection of data items. It is a dynamic data structure.

For every data item in a linked list, there is an associated pointer that would give the
memory location of the next data item in the linked list.

The data items in the linked list are not in consecutive memory locations. They may be
anywhere, but the accessing of these data items is easier as each data item contains the
address of the next data item.

Advantages of linked lists:

Linked lists have many advantages. Some of the very important advantages are:

1. Linked lists are dynamic data structures. i.e., they can grow or shrink during
the execution of a program.
2. Linked lists have efficient memory utilization. Here, memory is not pre-
allocated. Memory is allocated whenever it is required and it is de-allocated
(removed) when it is no longer needed.
3. Insertion and Deletions are easier and efficient. Linked lists provide flexibility
in inserting a data item at a specified position and deletion of the data item
from the given position.
4. Many complex applications can be easily carried out with linked lists.

Disadvantages of linked lists:

1. It consumes more space because every node requires a additional pointer to

store address of the next node.
2. Searching a particular element in list is difficult and also time consuming.

3.2. Types of Linked Lists:

Basically we can put linked lists into the following four items:

1. Single Linked List.

2. Double Linked List.
3. Circular Linked List.
4. Circular Double Linked List.

A single linked list is one in which all nodes are linked together in some sequential
manner. Hence, it is also called as linear linked list.
A double linked list is one in which all nodes are linked together by multiple links which
helps in accessing both the successor node (next node) and predecessor node (previous
node) from any arbitrary node within the list. Therefore each node in a double linked list
has two link fields (pointers) to point to the left node (previous) and the right node (next).
This helps to traverse in forward direction and backward direction.

A circular linked list is one, which has no beginning and no end. A single linked list can
be made a circular linked list by simply storing address of the very first node in the link
field of the last node.

A circular double linked list is one, which has both the successor pointer and predecessor
pointer in the circular manner.

Comparison between array and linked list:

ARRAY LINKED LIST

Size of an array is fixed Size of a list is not fixed

Memory is allocated from stack Memory is allocated from heap

It is necessary to specify the number of It is not necessary to specify the number

elements during declaration (i.e., during of elements during declaration (i.e.,
compile time). memory is allocated during run
time).
It occupies less memory than a linked It occupies more memory.
list for the same number of elements.
Inserting new elements at the front is Inserting a new element at any position
potentially expensive because existing can be carried out easily.
elements need to be shifted over to
make room.
Deleting an element from an array is Deleting an element is possible.
not possible.

Trade offs between linked lists and arrays:

FEATURE ARRAYS LINKED LISTS

Sequential access efficient efficient

Random access efficient inefficient

Resigning inefficient efficient

Element rearranging inefficient efficient

Overhead per elements none 1 or 2 links

Applications of linked list:

1. Linked lists are used to represent and manipulate polynomial. Polynomials are
expression containing terms with non zero coefficient and exponents. For
example:

P(x) = a0 Xn + a1 Xn-1 + …… + an-1 X + an

2. Represent very large numbers and operations of the large number such as
addition, multiplication and division.

3. Linked lists are to implement stack, queue, trees and graphs.

4. Implement the symbol table in compiler construction

3.3. Single Linked List:

A linked list allocates space for each element separately in its own block of memory called
a "node". The list gets an overall structure by using pointers to connect all its nodes
together like the links in a chain. Each node contains two fields; a "data" field to store
whatever element, and a "next" field which is a pointer used to link to the next node.
Each node is allocated in the heap using malloc(), so the node memory continues to
exist until it is explicitly de-allocated using free(). The front of the list is a pointer to the
“start” node.

A single linked list is shown in figure 3.2.1.

HEAP

Figure 3.2.1. Single Linked List

The beginning of the linked list is stored in a "start" pointer which points to the first
node. The first node contains a pointer to the second node. The second node contains a
pointer to the third node, ... and so on. The last node in the list has its next field set to
NULL to mark the end of the list. Code can access any node in the list by starting at the
start and following the next pointers.

The start pointer is an ordinary local pointer variable, so it is drawn separately on the
left top to show that it is in the stack. The list nodes are drawn on the right to show that
they are allocated in the heap.
Implementation of Single Linked List:

Before writing the code to build the above list, we need to create a start node, used to
create and access other nodes in the linked list. The following structure definition will do
(see figure 3.2.2):

 Creating a structure with one data item and a next pointer, which will be
pointing to next node of the list. This is called as self-referential structure.

 Initialise the start pointer to be NULL.

struct slinklist
{
int data;
struct slinklist* next;
};

typedef struct slinklist node;

node *start = NULL;

Figure 3.2.2. Structure definition, single link node and empty list

The basic operations in a single linked list are:

 Creation.
 Insertion.
 Deletion.
 Traversing.

Creating a node for Single Linked List:

Creating a singly linked list starts with creating a node. Sufficient memory has to be
allocated for creating a node. The information is stored in the memory, allocated by using
the malloc() function. The function getnode(), is used for creating a node, after allocating
memory for the structure of type node, the information for the item (i.e., data) has to
be read from the user, set next field to NULL and finally returns the address of the node.
Figure 3.2.3 illustrates the creation of a node for single linked list.

node* getnode()
{
node* newnode;
newnode = (node *) malloc(sizeof(node));
printf("\n Enter data: ");
scanf("%d", &newnode -> data);
newnode -> next = NULL;
return newnode;
}

Figure 3.2.3. new node with a value of 10

Creating a Singly Linked List with ‘n’ number of nodes:

The following steps are to be followed to create ‘n’ number of nodes:

 Get the new node using getnode().

newnode = getnode();

 If the list is empty, assign new node as start.

start = newnode;

 If the list is not empty, follow the steps given below:

 The next field of the new node is made to point the first node (i.e.
start node) in the list by assigning the address of the first node.

 The start pointer is made to point the new node by assigning the
address of the new node.

 Repeat the above steps ‘n’ times.

Figure 3.2.4 shows 4 items in a single linked list stored at different locations in
memory.

Figure 3.2.4. Single Linked List with 4 nodes

The function createlist(), is used to create ‘n’ number of nodes:

vo id c re at e list( int n)
{
int i;
no de * ne w no de;
no de * t e m p;
for( i = 0 ; i < n ; i+ +)
{
ne w no de = get no de();
if(st a rt = = NU LL)
{
sta rt = ne w no de;
}
e ls e
{
te m p = st a rt;
w hile(t e m p - > ne xt ! = NU LL)
te m p = t e m p - > ne xt;
te m p - > ne xt = ne w no de;
}
}
}
Insertion of a Node:

One of the most primitive operations that can be done in a singly linked list is the insertion
of a node. Memory is to be allocated for the new node (in a similar way that is done while
creating a list) before reading the data. The new node will contain empty data field and
empty next field. The data field of the new node is then stored with the information read
from the user. The next field of the new node is assigned to NULL. The new node can
then be inserted at three different places namely:

 Inserting a node at the beginning.

 Inserting a node at the end.
 Inserting a node at intermediate position.

Inserting a node at the beginning:

The following steps are to be followed to insert a new node at the beginning of the list:

 Get the new node using getnode().

newnode = getnode();

 If the list is empty then start = newnode.

 If the list is not empty, follow the steps given below:

newnode -> next = start;
start = newnode;

Figure 3.2.5 shows inserting a node into the single linked list at the beginning.

Figure 3.2.5. Inserting a node at the beginning

The function insert_at_beg(), is used for inserting a node at the beginning

void insert_at_beg()
{
node *newnode;
newnode = getnode();
if(start == NULL)
{
start = newnode;
}
else
{
newnode -> next = start;
start = newnode;
}
}
Inserting a node at the end:

The following steps are followed to insert a new node at the end of the list:

 Get the new node using getnode()

newnode = getnode();

 If the list is empty then start = newnode.

 If the list is not empty follow the steps given below:

temp = start;
while(temp -> next != NULL)
temp = temp -> next;
temp -> next = newnode;

Figure 3.2.6 shows inserting a node into the single linked list at the end.

Figure 3.2.6. Inserting a node at the end.

The function insert_at_end(), is used for inserting a node at the end.

void insert_at_end()
{
node *newnode, *temp;
newnode = getnode();
if(start == NULL)
{
start = newnode;
}
else
{
temp = start;
while(temp -> next != NULL)
temp = temp -> next;
temp -> next = newnode;
}
}

Inserting a node at intermediate position:

The following steps are followed, to insert a new node in an intermediate position in the
list:

 Get the new node using getnode().

newnode = getnode();
  Ensure that the specified position is in between first node and last node. If
not, specified position is invalid. This is done by countnode() function.

 Store the starting address (which is in start pointer) in temp and prev pointers.
Then traverse the temp pointer upto the specified position followed by prev
pointer.

 After reaching the specified position, follow the steps given below:
prev -> next = newnode;
newnode -> next = temp;

 Let the intermediate position be 3.

Figure 3.2.7 shows inserting a node into the single linked list at a specified
intermediate position other than beginning and end.

Figure 3.2.7. Inserting a node at an intermediate position.

The function insert_at_mid(), is used for inserting a node in the intermediate position.

void insert_at_mid()
{
node *newnode, *temp, *prev;
int pos, nodectr, ctr = 1;
newnode = getnode();
printf("\n Enter the position: ");
scanf("%d", &pos);
nodectr = countnode(start);
if(pos > 1 && pos < nodectr)
{
temp = prev = start;
while(ctr < pos)
{
prev = temp;
temp = temp -> next;
ctr++;
}
prev -> next = newnode;
newnode -> next = temp;
}
else
{
printf("position %d is not a middle position", pos);
}
}
Deletion of a node:

Another primitive operation that can be done in a singly linked list is the deletion of a
node. Memory is to be released for the node to be deleted. A node can be deleted from
the list from three different places namely.

 Deleting a node at the beginning.

 Deleting a node at the end.
 Deleting a node at intermediate position.

Deleting a node at the beginning:

The following steps are followed, to delete a node at the beginning of the list:

 If list is empty then display ‘Empty List’ message.

 If the list is not empty, follow the steps given below:

temp = start;
start = start -> next;
free(temp);

Figure 3.2.8 shows deleting a node at the beginning of a single linked list.

Figure 3.2.8. Deleting a node at the beginning.

The function delete_at_beg(), is used for deleting the first node in the list.

void delete_at_beg()
{
node *temp;
if(start == NULL)
{
printf("\n No nodes are exist..");
return ;
}
else
{
temp = start;
start = temp -> next;
free(temp);
printf("\n Node deleted ");
}
}
Deleting a node at the end:

The following steps are followed to delete a node at the end of the list:

 If list is empty then display ‘Empty List’ message.

 If the list is not empty, follow the steps given below:

temp = prev = start;

while(temp -> next != NULL)
{
prev = temp;
temp = temp -> next;
}
prev -> next = NULL;
free(temp);

Figure 3.2.9 shows deleting a node at the end of a single linked list.

Figure 3.2.9. Deleting a node at the end.

The function delete_at_last(), is used for deleting the last node in the list.

void delete_at_last()
{
node *temp, *prev;
if(start == NULL)
{
printf("\n Empty List..");
return ;
}
else
{
temp = start;
prev = start;
while(temp -> next != NULL)
{
prev = temp;
temp = temp -> next;
}
prev -> next = NULL;
free(temp);
printf("\n Node deleted ");
}
}
Deleting a node at Intermediate position:

The following steps are followed, to delete a node from an intermediate position in the
list (List must contain more than two node).

 If list is empty then display ‘Empty List’ message

 If the list is not empty, follow the steps given below.

if(pos > 1 && pos < nodectr)
{
temp = prev = start;
ctr = 1;
while(ctr < pos)
{
prev = temp;
temp = temp -> next;
ctr++;
}
prev -> next = temp -> next;
free(temp);
printf("\n node deleted..");
}

Figure 3.2.10 shows deleting a node at a specified intermediate position other than
beginning and end from a single linked list.

20 300

Figure 3.2.10. Deleting a node at an intermediate position.

The function delete_at_mid(), is used for deleting the intermediate node in the list.

void delete_at_mid()
{
int ctr = 1, pos, nodectr;
node *temp, *prev;
if(start == NULL)
{
printf("\n Empty List..");
return ;
}
else
{
printf("\n Enter position of node to delete: ");
scanf("%d", &pos);
nodectr = countnode(start);
if(pos > nodectr)
{
printf("\nThis node doesnot exist");
}
 if(pos > 1 && pos < nodectr)
{
temp = prev = start;
while(ctr < pos)
{
prev = temp;
temp = temp -> next;
ctr ++;
}
prev -> next = temp -> next;
free(temp);
printf("\n Node deleted..");
}
else
{
printf("\n Invalid position..");
getch();
}

}
}

Traversal and displaying a list (Left to Right):

To display the information, you have to traverse (move) a linked list, node by node from
the first node, until the end of the list is reached. Traversing a list involves the following
steps:

 Assign the address of start pointer to a temp pointer.

 Display the information from the data field of each node.

The function traverse() is used for traversing and displaying the information stored in
the list from left to right.

void traverse()
{
node *temp;
temp = start;
printf("\n The contents of List (Left to Right): \n");
if(start == NULL )
printf("\n Empty List");
else
{
while (temp != NULL)
{
printf("%d ->", temp -> data);
temp = temp -> next;
}
}
printf("X");
}

Alternatively there is another way to traverse and display the information. That is in
reverse order. The function rev_traverse(), is used for traversing and displaying the
information stored in the list from right to left.
 vo id re v_ t ra v e rs e( no de * st)
{
if(st = = NU LL)
{
ret urn;
}
e ls e
{
re v_ t ra v e rs e(st - > ne xt);
printf(" % d - >" , st - > dat a);
}
}

Counting the Number of Nodes:

The following code will count the number of nodes exist in the list using recursion.

int co unt no de( no de * st)

{
if(st = = NU LL)
ret urn 0 ;
e ls e
ret urn(1 + co unt no de(st - > ne xt));
}

3.3.1. Source Code for the Implementation of Single Linked List:

# include <stdio.h>
# include <conio.h>
# include <stdlib.h>

struct slinklist
{
int data;
struct slinklist *next;
};

typedef struct slinklist node;

node *start = NULL;

int menu()
{
int ch;
clrscr();
printf("\n [Link] a list ");
printf("\n ------------------------- ");
printf("\n [Link] a node at beginning ");
printf("\n [Link] a node at end");
printf("\n [Link] a node at middle");
printf("\n ------------------------- ");
printf("\n [Link] a node from beginning");
printf("\n [Link] a node from Last");
printf("\n [Link] a node from Middle");
printf("\n ------------------------- ");
printf("\n [Link] the list (Left to Right)");
printf("\n [Link] the list (Right to Left)");
 printf("\n ------------------------- ");
printf("\n 10. Count nodes ");
printf("\n 11. Exit ");
printf("\n\n Enter your choice: ");
scanf("%d",&ch);
return ch;
}

node* getnode()
{
node * newnode;
newnode = (node *) malloc(sizeof(node));
printf("\n Enter data: ");
scanf("%d", &newnode -> data);
newnode -> next = NULL;
return newnode;
}

int countnode(node *ptr)

{
int count=0;
while(ptr != NULL)
{
count++;
ptr = ptr -> next;
}
return (count);
}

void createlist(int n)
{
int i;
node *newnode;
node *temp;
for(i = 0; i < n; i++)
{
newnode = getnode();
if(start == NULL)
{
start = newnode;
}
else
{
temp = start;
while(temp -> next != NULL)
temp = temp -> next;
temp -> next = newnode;
}
}
}

void traverse()
{
node *temp;
temp = start;
printf("\n The contents of List (Left to Right): \n");
if(start == NULL)
{
printf("\n Empty List");
return;
}
else
{
 while(temp != NULL)
{
printf("%d-->", temp -> data);
temp = temp -> next;
}
}
printf(" X ");
}

void rev_traverse(node *start)

{
if(start == NULL)
{
return;
}
else
{
rev_traverse(start -> next);
printf("%d -->", start -> data);
}
}

void insert_at_beg()
{
node *newnode;
newnode = getnode();
if(start == NULL)
{
start = newnode;
}
else
{
newnode -> next = start;
start = newnode;
}
}

void insert_at_end()
{
node *newnode, *temp;
newnode = getnode();
if(start == NULL)
{
start = newnode;
}
else
{
temp = start;
while(temp -> next != NULL)
temp = temp -> next;
temp -> next = newnode;
}
}

void insert_at_mid()
{
node *newnode, *temp, *prev;
int pos, nodectr, ctr = 1;
newnode = getnode();
printf("\n Enter the position: ");
scanf("%d", &pos);
nodectr = countnode(start);
 if(pos > 1 && pos < nodectr)
{
temp = prev = start;
while(ctr < pos)
{
prev = temp;
temp = temp -> next;
ctr++;
}
prev -> next = newnode;
newnode -> next = temp;
}
else
printf("position %d is not a middle position", pos);
}

void delete_at_beg()
{
node *temp;
if(start == NULL)
{
printf("\n No nodes are exist..");
return ;
}
else
{
temp = start;
start = temp -> next;
free(temp);
printf("\n Node deleted ");
}
}

void delete_at_last()
{
node *temp, *prev;
if(start == NULL)
{
printf("\n Empty List..");
return ;
}
else
{
temp = start;
prev = start;
while(temp -> next != NULL)
{
prev = temp;
temp = temp -> next;
}
prev -> next = NULL;
free(temp);
printf("\n Node deleted ");
}
}

void delete_at_mid()
{
int ctr = 1, pos, nodectr;
node *temp, *prev;
if(start == NULL)
{
printf("\n Empty List..");
 return ;
}
else
{
printf("\n Enter position of node to delete: ");
scanf("%d", &pos);
nodectr = countnode(start);
if(pos > nodectr)
{
printf("\nThis node doesnot exist");

}
if(pos > 1 && pos < nodectr)
{
temp = prev = start;
while(ctr < pos)
{
prev = temp;
temp = temp -> next;
ctr ++;
}
prev -> next = temp -> next;
free(temp);
printf("\n Node deleted..");
}
else
{
printf("\n Invalid position..");
getch();
}
}
}

void main(void)
{
int ch, n;
clrscr();
while(1)
{
ch = menu();
switch(ch)
{
case 1:
if(start == NULL)
{
printf("\n Number of nodes you want to create: ");
scanf("%d", &n);
createlist(n);
printf("\n List created..");
}
else
printf("\n List is already created..");
break;
case 2:

insert_at_beg();
break;
case 3:
insert_at_end();
break;
case 4:
insert_at_mid();
break;
 case 5:
delete_at_beg();
break;
case 6:
delete_at_last();
break;
case 7:
delete_at_mid();
break;
case 8:
traverse();
break;
case 9:
printf("\n The contents of List (Right to Left): \n");
rev_traverse(start);
printf(" X ");
break;
case 10:
printf("\n No of nodes : %d ", countnode(start));
break;
case 11 :
exit(0);
}
getch();
}
}

3.4. Using a header node:

A header node is a special dummy node found at the front of the list. The use of header
node is an alternative to remove the first node in a list. For example, the picture below
shows how the list with data 10, 20 and 30 would be represented using a linked list
without and with a header node:

Si n g l e Li n k e d Li s t w it h o ut a h e a d er n o d e

Sing le Linke d List w it h he a d er no d e

Note that if your linked lists do include a header node, there is no need for the special
case code given above for the remove operation; node n can never be the first node in
the list, so there is no need to check for that case. Similarly, having a header node can
simplify the code that adds a node before a given node n.
 printf("\n List created..");
break;
case 2 :
dll_insert_beg();
break;
case 3 :
dll_insert_end();
break;
case 4 :
dll_insert_mid();
break;
case 5 :
dll_delete_beg();
break;
case 6 :
dll_delete_last();
break;
case 7 :
dll_delete_mid();
break;
case 8 :
traverse_left_to_right();
break;
case 9 :
traverse_right_to_left();
break;

case 10 :
printf("\n Number of nodes: %d", countnode(start));
break;
case 11:
exit(0);
}
getch();
}
}

3.7. Circular Single Linked List:

It is just a single linked list in which the link field of the last node points back to the
address of the first node. A circular linked list has no beginning and no end. It is necessary
to establish a special pointer called start pointer always pointing to the first node of the
list. Circular linked lists are frequently used instead of ordinary linked list because many
operations are much easier to implement. In circular linked list no null pointers are used,
hence all pointers contain valid address.

A circular single linked list is shown in figure 3.6.1.

Figure 3.6.1. Circular Single Linked List

The basic operations in a circular single linked list are:

 Creation.
 Insertion.
 Deletion.
 Traversing.

Creating a circular single Linked List with ‘n’ number of nodes:

The following steps are to be followed to create ‘n’ number of nodes:

 Get the new node using getnode().

newnode = getnode();

 If the list is empty, assign new node as start.

start = newnode;

 If the list is not empty, follow the steps given below:

temp = start;
while(temp -> next != NULL)
temp = temp -> next;
temp -> next = newnode;

 Repeat the above steps ‘n’ times.

 newnode -> next = start;

The function createlist(), is used to create ‘n’ number of nodes:

Inserting a node at the beginning:

The following steps are to be followed to insert a new node at the beginning of the
circular list:

 Get the new node using getnode().

newnode = getnode();

 If the list is empty, assign new node as start.

start = newnode;
newnode -> next = start;

 If the list is not empty, follow the steps given below:

last = start;
while(last -> next != start)
last = last -> next;
newnode -> next = start;
start = newnode;
last -> next = start;
The function cll_insert_beg(), is used for inserting a node at the beginning. Figure
3.6.2 shows inserting a node into the circular single linked list at the beginning.

Figure 3.6.2. Inserting a node at the beginning

Inserting a node at the end:

The following steps are followed to insert a new node at the end of the list:

 Get the new node using getnode().

newnode = getnode();

 If the list is empty, assign new node as start.

start = newnode;
newnode -> next = start;

 If the list is not empty follow the steps given below:

temp = start;
while(temp -> next != start)
temp = temp -> next;
temp -> next = newnode;
newnode -> next = start;

The function cll_insert_end(), is used for inserting a node at the end.

Figure 3.6.3 shows inserting a node into the circular single linked list at the end.

Figure 3.6.3 Inserting a node at the end.

Deleting a node at the beginning:

The following steps are followed, to delete a node at the beginning of the list:

 If the list is empty, display a message ‘Empty List’.

 If the list is not empty, follow the steps given below:

last = temp = start;

while(last -> next != start)
last = last -> next;
start = start -> next;
last -> next = start;

 After deleting the node, if the list is empty then start = NULL.

The function cll_delete_beg(), is used for deleting the first node in the list. Figure 3.6.4
shows deleting a node at the beginning of a circular single linked list.

Figure 3.6.4. Deleting a node at beginning.

Deleting a node at the end:

The following steps are followed to delete a node at the end of the list:

 If the list is empty, display a message ‘Empty List’.

 If the list is not empty, follow the steps given below:

temp = start;
prev = start;
while(temp -> next != start)
{
prev = temp;
temp = temp -> next;
}
prev -> next = start;

 After deleting the node, if the list is empty then start = NULL.

The function cll_delete_last(), is used for deleting the last node in the list.
Figure 3.6.5 shows deleting a node at the end of a circular single linked list.

Figure 3.6.5. Deleting a node at the end.

Traversing a circular single linked list from left to right:

The following steps are followed, to traverse a list from left to right:

 If list is empty then display ‘Empty List’ message.

 If the list is not empty, follow the steps given below:

temp = start;
do
{
printf("%d ", temp -> data);
temp = temp -> next;
} while(temp != start);

3.7.1. Source Code for Circular Single Linked List:

# include <stdio.h>
# include <conio.h>
# include <stdlib.h>

struct cslinklist
{
int data;
struct cslinklist *next;
};

typedef struct cslinklist node;

node *start = NULL;

int nodectr;

node* getnode()
{
node * newnode;
newnode = (node *) malloc(sizeof(node));
printf("\n Enter data: ");
scanf("%d", &newnode -> data);
newnode -> next = NULL;
return newnode;
}
int menu()
{
int ch;
clrscr();
printf("\n 1. Create a list ");
printf("\n\n ------------------------- ");
printf("\n 2. Insert a node at beginning ");
printf("\n 3. Insert a node at end");
printf("\n 4. Insert a node at middle");
printf("\n\n ------------------------- ");
printf("\n 5. Delete a node from beginning");
printf("\n 6. Delete a node from Last");
printf("\n 7. Delete a node from Middle");
printf("\n\n ------------------------- ");
printf("\n 8. Display the list");
printf("\n 9. Exit");
printf("\n\n ------------------------- ");
printf("\n Enter your choice: ");
scanf("%d", &ch);
return ch;
}

void createlist(int n)
{
int i;
node *newnode;
node *temp;
nodectr = n;
for(i = 0; i < n ; i++)
{
newnode = getnode();
if(start == NULL)
{
start = newnode;
}
else
{
temp = start;
while(temp -> next != NULL)
temp = temp -> next;
temp -> next = newnode;
}
}

newnode ->next = start; /* last node is pointing to starting node */

}

void display()
{
node *temp;
temp = start;
printf("\n The contents of List (Left to Right): ");
if(start == NULL )
printf("\n Empty List");
else
{
do
{
printf("\t %d ", temp -> data);
temp = temp -> next;
} while(temp != start);
printf(" X ");
}
}
void cll_insert_beg()
{
node *newnode, *last;
newnode = getnode();
if(start == NULL)
{
start = newnode;
newnode -> next = start;
}
else
{
last = start;
while(last -> next != start)
last = last -> next;
newnode -> next = start;
start = newnode;
last -> next = start;
}

printf("\n Node inserted at beginning..");

nodectr++;
}

void cll_insert_end()
{
node *newnode, *temp;
newnode = getnode();
if(start == NULL )
{
start = newnode;
newnode -> next = start;
}
else
{
temp = start;
while(temp -> next != start)
temp = temp -> next;
temp -> next = newnode;
newnode -> next = start;
}

printf("\n Node inserted at end..");

nodectr++;
}

void cll_insert_mid()
{
node *newnode, *temp, *prev;
int i, pos ;
newnode = getnode();
printf("\n Enter the position: ");
scanf("%d", &pos);
if(pos > 1 && pos < nodectr)
{
temp = start;
prev = temp;
i = 1;
while(i < pos)
{
prev = temp;
temp = temp -> next;
i++;
}
prev -> next = newnode;
newnode -> next = temp;
 nodectr++;
printf("\n Node inserted at middle..");
}
else
{
printf("position %d of list is not a middle position ", pos);
}
}

void cll_delete_beg()
{
node *temp, *last;
if(start == NULL)
{
printf("\n No nodes exist..");
getch();
return ;
}
else
{
last = temp = start;
while(last -> next != start)
last = last -> next;
start = start -> next;
last -> next = start;
free(temp);
nodectr--;
printf("\n Node deleted..");
if(nodectr == 0)
start = NULL;
}
}

void cll_delete_last()
{
node *temp,*prev;
if(start == NULL)
{
printf("\n No nodes exist..");
getch();
return ;
}
else
{
temp = start;
prev = start;
while(temp -> next != start)
{
prev = temp;
temp = temp -> next;
}
prev -> next = start;
free(temp);
nodectr--;
if(nodectr == 0)
start = NULL;
printf("\n Node deleted..");
}
}
void cll_delete_mid()
{
int i = 0, pos;
node *temp, *prev;

if(start == NULL)
{
printf("\n No nodes exist..");
getch();
return ;
}
else
{
printf("\n Which node to delete: ");
scanf("%d", &pos);
if(pos > nodectr)
{
printf("\nThis node does not exist");
getch();
return;
}
if(pos > 1 && pos < nodectr)
{
temp=start;
prev = start;
i = 0;
while(i < pos - 1)
{
prev = temp;
temp = temp -> next ;
i++;
}
prev -> next = temp -> next;
free(temp);
nodectr--;
printf("\n Node Deleted..");
}
else
{
printf("\n It is not a middle position..");
getch();
}
}
}

void main(void)
{
int result;
int ch, n;
clrscr();
while(1)
{
ch = menu();
switch(ch)
{
case 1 :
if(start == NULL)
{
printf("\n Enter Number of nodes to create: ");
scanf("%d", &n);
createlist(n);
printf("\nList created..");
}
 else
printf("\n List is already Exist..");
break;
case 2 :

cll_insert_beg();
break;
case 3 :
cll_insert_end();
break;
case 4 :
cll_insert_mid();
break;
case 5 :
cll_delete_beg();
break;
case 6 :
cll_delete_last();
break;
case 7 :
cll_delete_mid();
break;
case 8 :
display();
break;
case 9 :
exit(0);
}
getch();
}
}

3.8. Circular Double Linked List:

A circular double linked list has both successor pointer and predecessor pointer in circular
manner. The objective behind considering circular double linked list is to simplify the
insertion and deletion operations performed on double linked list. In circular double linked
list the right link of the right most node points back to the start node and left link of the
first node points to the last node. A circular double linked list is shown in figure 3.8.1.

Figure 3.8.1. Circular Double Linked List

The basic operations in a circular double linked list are:

 Creation.
 Insertion.
 Deletion.
 Traversing.