C Programming Implementing Dynamic Data Structures Linked Lists, Stacks, Queues Step by step Implementation and Top 10 Questions and Answers
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C Programming: Implementing Dynamic Data Structures – Linked Lists, Stacks, and Queues

In computer science, data structures are used to organize and store data efficiently. Among these, dynamic data structures stand out as they allow resizing at runtime, making them highly flexible for various applications. In this article, we will delve into three fundamental dynamic data structures—Linked Lists, Stacks, and Queues—and implement them in C.

Linked Lists

A linked list is a linear collection of data elements, called nodes, pointing to the next node by means of a pointer. It enables efficient insertion and deletion of elements with minimal shifting of other elements. Each node contains two parts: the data part and the address (link) part.

Types of Linked Lists:
  • Singly Linked List: Each node points to the next node in the sequence.
  • Doubly Linked List: Each node points to both the next and the previous node, allowing bidirectional traversal.
  • Circular Linked List: The last node's link points back to the first node, forming a circle. It can be singly or doubly circular.
Implementation of a Singly Linked List in C:

Below is a simple implementation of a singly linked list with basic operations.

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

// Node structure
struct Node {
    int data;
    struct Node* next;
};

// Function to insert a node at the beginning
void insertAtBeginning(struct Node** head, int newData) {
    struct Node* newNode = (struct Node*)malloc(sizeof(struct Node));
    newNode->data = newData;
    newNode->next = *head;
    *head = newNode;
}

// Function to print the linked list
void printList(struct Node* node) {
    while (node != NULL) {
        printf("%d -> ", node->data);
        node = node->next;
    }
    printf("NULL\n");
}

int main() {
    struct Node* head = NULL;

    // Insert elements
    insertAtBeginning(&head, 3);
    insertAtBeginning(&head, 2);
    insertAtBeginning(&head, 1);

    // Print the linked list
    printList(head);

    return 0;
}
Important Points:
  • Memory Allocation: Nodes are dynamically allocated using malloc.
  • Traversal: Starting from the head node, each element can be accessed sequentially.
  • Insertion/Deletion: Efficient for inserting/deleting elements, especially at the head.
  • Limitations: Random access is not possible; searching can be slow.

Stacks

A stack is a Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) data structure where operations take place at one end, known as the top. Push operation adds an element, and pop removes it.

Implementation of a Stack Using Linked List in C:
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

// Node structure
struct Node {
    int data;
    struct Node* next;
};

// Function to push an element onto the stack
void push(struct Node** topRef, int newData) {
    struct Node* newNode = (struct Node*)malloc(sizeof(struct Node));
    newNode->data = newData;
    newNode->next = *topRef;
    *topRef = newNode;
}

// Function to pop an element from the stack
int pop(struct Node** topRef) {
    if (*topRef == NULL) {
        printf("Stack Underflow\n");
        return -1; // Indicating error
    }

    struct Node* topPtr = *topRef;
    int poppedData = topPtr->data;
    *topRef = topPtr->next;
    free(topPtr);
    return poppedData;
}

// Function to check if the stack is empty
int isEmpty(struct Node* top) {
    return topo == NULL;
}

int main() {
    struct Node* top = NULL;

    // Push elements onto the stack
    push(&top, 10);
    push(&top, 20);
    push(&top, 30);

    // Pop elements from the stack
    printf("%d popped from stack\n", pop(&top));
    printf("%d popped from stack\n", pop(&top));

    return 0;
}
Important Points:
  • LIFO Principle: Most recent elements are accessed first.
  • Applications: Function call management, undo mechanisms, expression evaluation, etc.
  • Time Complexity: O(1) for both push and pop.

Queues

A queue is a First-In-First-Out (FIFO) data structure where elements are inserted at the rear (enqueue) and removed from the front (dequeue).

Implementation of a Queue Using Linked List in C:
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

// Node structure
struct Node {
    int data;
    struct Node* next;
};

// Queue structure
struct Queue {
    struct Node *front, *rear;
};

// Function to enqueue an element
void enqueue(struct Queue* queue, int newData) {
    struct Node* newNode = (struct Node*)malloc(sizeof(struct Node));
    newNode->data = newData;
    newNode->next = NULL;

    if (queue->rear == NULL) {
        queue->front = queue->rear = newNode;
        return;
    }

    queue->rear->next = newNode;
    queue->rear = newNode;
}

// Function to dequeue an element
int dequeue(struct Queue* queue) {
    if (queue->front == NULL) {
        printf("Queue Underflow\n");
        return -1; // Indicating error
    }

    struct Node* temp = queue->front;
    int data = temp->data;
    queue->front = queue->front->next;

    if (queue->front == NULL) {
        queue->rear = NULL;
    }

    free(temp);
    return data;
}

int main() {
    struct Queue* queue = (struct Queue*)malloc(sizeof(struct Queue));
    queue->front = queue->rear = NULL;

    // Enqueue elements
    enqueue(queue, 10);
    enqueue(queue, 20);
    enqueue(queue, 30);

    // Dequeue elements
    printf("%d dequeued from queue\n", dequeue(queue));
    printf("%d dequeued from queue\n", dequeue(queue));

    return 0;
}
Important Points:
  • FIFO Principle: Elements are accessed in the order they were inserted.
  • Applications: Process scheduling, breadth-first search in graphs, etc.
  • Complexity: O(1) time complexity for enqueue and dequeue operations when implemented correctly.

Conclusion:

Mastering linked lists, stacks, and queues in C not only helps in understanding data structure fundamentals but also in building efficient software solutions for a wide range of problems. The flexibility of dynamic memory allocation in C makes these structures particularly powerful and widely used in programming domains.




C Programming: Implementing Dynamic Data Structures - Linked Lists, Stacks, and Queues: Step by Step Examples

Introduction

C Programming is renowned for its close-to-hardware manipulation, and it provides the perfect playground to understand and implement dynamic data structures such as Linked Lists, Stacks, and Queues. These data structures are essential in managing data dynamically during runtime.

This article will guide you step-by-step through implementing basic dynamic data structures using C. We will focus on setting routes (creating and managing these structures), running the application, and visualizing the data flow.

Prerequisites

  • Basic knowledge of C Programming.
  • A C compiler (like GCC).
  • Familiarity with dynamic memory allocation using malloc and free.

1. Linked Lists

Linked List: A linked list is a linear data structure that comprises nodes. Each node contains data and a reference (or link) to the next node in the sequence.

Step-by-Step Implementation

1.1 Definition: Node and Linked List
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

typedef struct Node {
    int data;
    struct Node* next;
} Node;

typedef struct LinkedList {
    Node* head;
} LinkedList;
1.2 Function Prototypes
void append(LinkedList* list, int data);
void display(LinkedList list);
1.3 Initialize the Linked List
void initList(LinkedList* list) {
    list->head = NULL;
}
1.4 Append Node to Linked List
void append(LinkedList* list, int data) {
    Node* newNode = (Node*)malloc(sizeof(Node));
    
    if (newNode == NULL) {
        printf("Memory allocation failed\n");
        return;
    }
    
    newNode->data = data;
    newNode->next = NULL;
    
    if (list->head == NULL) {
        list->head = newNode;
    } else {
        Node* temp = list->head;
        while (temp->next != NULL) {
            temp = temp->next;
        }
        temp->next = newNode;
    }
}
1.5 Display the Linked List
void display(LinkedList list) {
    Node* temp = list.head;
    if (temp == NULL) {
        printf("List is empty\n");
        return;
    }
    while (temp != NULL) {
        printf("%d -> ", temp->data);
        temp = temp->next;
    }
    printf("NULL\n");
}
1.6 Main Function to Run the Application
int main() {
    LinkedList list;
    initList(&list);
    
    append(&list, 10);
    append(&list, 20);
    append(&list, 30);
    
    display(list);
    
    return 0;
}

Data Flow:

  • initList: Initializes the linked list with a NULL head.
  • append: Inserts new nodes at the end of the list.
  • display: Prints the data stored in each node sequentially.

2. Stacks

Stack: A stack is a linear data structure that follows the Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) principle. You can only add or remove items from the top of the stack.

Step-by-Step Implementation

2.1 Function Prototypes
typedef struct Stack {
    int top;
    int capacity;
    int* array;
} Stack;

Stack* create(int capacity);
int isFull(Stack* stack);
int isEmpty(Stack* stack);
void push(Stack* stack, int item);
int pop(Stack* stack);
int peek(Stack* stack);
2.2 Create a Stack
Stack* create(int capacity) {
    Stack* stack = (Stack*)malloc(sizeof(Stack));
    stack->capacity = capacity;
    stack->top = -1;
    stack->array = (int*)malloc(stack->capacity * sizeof(int));
    return stack;
}
2.3 Stack Utility Functions
  • Check if Stack is Full:
int isFull(Stack* stack) {
    return stack->top == stack->capacity - 1;
}
  • Check if Stack is Empty:
int isEmpty(Stack* stack) {
    return stack->top == -1;
}
  • Push an item to the stack:
void push(Stack* stack, int item) {
    if (isFull(stack))
        return;
    stack->array[++stack->top] = item;
    printf("%d pushed to stack\n", item);
}
  • Pop an item from the stack:
int pop(Stack* stack) {
    if (isEmpty(stack))
        return INT_MIN;
    return stack->array[stack->top--];
}
  • Get the top element of the stack:
int peek(Stack* stack) {
    if (isEmpty(stack))
        return INT_MIN;
    return stack->array[stack->top];
}
2.4 Main Function to Run the Application
int main() {
    Stack* stack = create(100);
    push(stack, 10);
    push(stack, 20);
    push(stack, 30);
    
    printf("%d popped from stack\n", pop(stack));
    
    return 0;
}

Data Flow:

  • create: Initializes an empty stack.
  • push: Inserts an item onto the top of the stack.
  • pop: Removes the item from the top of the stack.
  • peek: Checks the item at the top of the stack without removing it.

3. Queues

Queue: A queue is a linear data structure that follows the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) principle. Items are inserted at the rear and removed from the front.

Step-by-Step Implementation

3.1 Function Prototypes
typedef struct Queue {
    int front, rear, size;
    unsigned capacity;
    int* array;
} Queue;

Queue* createQueue(unsigned capacity);
int isFull(Queue* queue);
int isEmpty(Queue* queue);
void enqueue(Queue* queue, int item);
int dequeue(Queue* queue);
int front(Queue* queue);
int rear(Queue* queue);
3.2 Create a Queue
Queue* createQueue(unsigned capacity) {
    Queue* queue = (Queue*)malloc(sizeof(Queue));
    queue->capacity = capacity;
    queue->front = queue->size = 0;
    
    queue->rear = capacity - 1; // This is important, see the enqueue
    queue->array = (int*)malloc(queue->capacity * sizeof(int));
    return queue;
}
3.3 Queue Utility Functions
  • Check if Queue is Full:
int isFull(Queue* queue) {
    return (queue->size == queue->capacity);
}
  • Check if Queue is Empty:
int isEmpty(Queue* queue) {
    return (queue->size == 0);
}
  • Enqueue an item to the queue:
void enqueue(Queue* queue, int item) {
    if (isFull(queue))
        return;
    queue->rear = (queue->rear + 1)%queue->capacity;
    queue->array[queue->rear] = item;
    queue->size++;
    printf("%d enqueued to queue\n", item);
}
  • Dequeue an item from the queue:
int dequeue(Queue* queue) {
    if (isEmpty(queue))
        return INT_MIN;
    int item = queue->array[queue->front];
    queue->front = (queue->front + 1)%queue->capacity;
    queue->size--;
    return item;
}
  • Get front item of the queue:
int front(Queue* queue) {
    if (isEmpty(queue))
        return INT_MIN;
    return queue->array[queue->front];
}
  • Get rear item of the queue:
int rear(Queue* queue) {
    if (isEmpty(queue))
        return INT_MIN;
    return queue->array[queue->rear];
}
3.4 Main Function to Run the Application
int main() {
    Queue* queue = createQueue(1000);
    enqueue(queue, 10);
    enqueue(queue, 20);
    enqueue(queue, 30);
    dequeue(queue);
    
    printf("Front item is %d\n", front(queue));
    printf("Rear item is %d\n", rear(queue));
    
    return 0;
}

Data Flow:

  • createQueue: Initializes an empty queue.
  • enqueue: Inserts an item into the rear of the queue.
  • dequeue: Removes an item from the front of the queue.
  • front: Accesses the front item of the queue.
  • rear: Accesses the rear item of the queue.

Conclusion

Implementing dynamic data structures like linked lists, stacks, and queues using C programming helps deepen your understanding of memory management and data manipulation. Each example walks you through setting the route by defining data structures, running the application using function implementations, and visualizing the flow of data through these operations. Practice these examples, and you'll be well-equipped to handle more complex data handling scenarios in C.

Notes

  • Always check for memory allocation failures (malloc returns NULL).
  • Manage memory carefully to avoid memory leaks (free allocated memory).
  • Practice different operations (like insertion at specific positions, deletion, and more) to explore more complex behaviors of these data structures.



Top 10 Questions and Answers on C Programming: Implementing Dynamic Data Structures (Linked Lists, Stacks, Queues)

1. What is a Linked List in C? Can you explain the basic operations you can perform on a Linked List?

A Linked List is a linear data structure where each element, known as a node, contains two parts: the data and a reference (or pointer) to the next node in the sequence. This allows for efficient insertion and deletion of elements, particularly when the position is known, without the need to shift elements as in an array.

Basic Operations on a Linked List:

  • Insertion: Adding a new node at the beginning, end, or a specific position of the list.
  • Deletion: Removing a node from the beginning, end, or a specific position of the list.
  • Traversal: Visiting each node in the list sequentially.
  • Search: Finding a node with a specific value.
  • Reverse: Reversing the order of nodes in the list.

2. How do you implement a singly linked list in C? Provide a simple example code snippet.

A singly linked list is the simplest form of linked list where each node contains only one pointer to the next node.

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

// Define the structure for a node
struct Node {
    int data;
    struct Node* next;
};

// Function to insert a new node at the beginning of the list
void push(struct Node** head_ref, int new_data) {
    struct Node* new_node = (struct Node*)malloc(sizeof(struct Node));
    new_node->data = new_data;
    new_node->next = (*head_ref);
    (*head_ref) = new_node;
}

// Function to print the linked list
void printList(struct Node* node) {
    while (node != NULL) {
        printf("%d ", node->data);
        node = node->next;
    }
    printf("\n");
}

int main() {
    struct Node* head = NULL;
    push(&head, 1);
    push(&head, 2);
    push(&head, 3);
    printf("Created Linked List: ");
    printList(head);
    return 0;
}

3. Describe how a stack can be implemented using a singly linked list.

A stack is a data structure that follows the Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) principle, where the last element added is the first to be removed. It can be implemented very efficiently using a singly linked list.

Operations on the Stack:

  • Push: Adds an element to the top of the stack.
  • Pop: Removes the element from the top of the stack.
  • Peek/Top: Returns the top element of the stack without removing it.
  • IsEmpty: Checks if the stack is empty.

Stack Implementation using a Linked List:

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

struct Stack {
    struct Node* top;
};

void push(struct Stack* stack, int new_data) {
    struct Node* new_node = (struct Node*)malloc(sizeof(struct Node));
    new_node->data = new_data;
    new_node->next = stack->top;
    stack->top = new_node;
    printf("%d pushed to stack\n", new_data);
}

int pop(struct Stack* stack) {
    if (stack->top == NULL) {
        printf("Stack Underflow\n");
        return -1;
    }
    struct Node* temp = stack->top;
    stack->top = stack->top->next;
    int popped_data = temp->data;
    free(temp);
    return popped_data;
}

int peek(struct Stack* stack) {
    if (stack->top == NULL) {
        printf("Stack is empty\n");
        return -1;
    }
    return stack->top->data;
}

int isEmpty(struct Stack* stack) {
    return stack->top == NULL;
}

int main() {
    struct Stack* stack = (struct Stack*)malloc(sizeof(struct Stack));
    push(stack, 10);
    push(stack, 20);
    push(stack, 30);
    printf("%d popped from stack\n", pop(stack));
    printf("Top element is %d\n", peek(stack));
    printf("Is stack empty? %d\n", isEmpty(stack));
    return 0;
}

4. How can you implement a queue using a singly linked list?

A queue follows the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) principle. It can also be efficiently implemented using a singly linked list.

Queue Operations:

  • Enqueue: Adds an element to the end of the queue.
  • Dequeue: Removes an element from the front of the queue.
  • Front: Returns the front element without removing it.
  • IsFull/IsEmpty: Checks if the queue is full or empty (in a linked list, there's no full condition unless memory runs out).

Queue Implementation using a Linked List:

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

struct Queue {
    struct Node *front, *rear;
};

void enqueue(struct Queue *q, int new_data) {
    struct Node* new_node = (struct Node*)malloc(sizeof(struct Node));
    new_node->data = new_data;
    new_node->next = NULL;
    if (q->rear == NULL) {
        q->front = q->rear = new_node;
        return;
    }
    q->rear->next = new_node;
    q->rear = new_node;
}

int dequeue(struct Queue *q) {
    if (q->front == NULL) {
        printf("Queue is empty\n");
        return -1;
    }
    struct Node *temp = q->front;
    q->front = q->front->next;
    if (q->front == NULL) q->rear = NULL;
    int dequeued_data = temp->data;
    free(temp);
    return dequeued_data;
}

int front(struct Queue *q) {
    if (q->front == NULL) {
        printf("Queue is empty\n");
        return -1;
    }
    return q->front->data;
}

int isEmpty(struct Queue *q) {
    return q->front == NULL;
}

int main() {
    struct Queue* q = (struct Queue*)malloc(sizeof(struct Queue));
    q->front = q->rear = NULL;
    enqueue(q, 10);
    enqueue(q, 20);
    printf("Front item is %d\n", front(q));
    dequeue(q);
    printf("Front item is %d\n", front(q));
    printf("Is queue empty? %d\n", isEmpty(q));
    return 0;
}

5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using dynamic data structures like linked lists compared to static data structures like arrays?

Advantages of Linked Lists:

  • Dynamic Size: The size of the linked list can be changed at runtime, unlike arrays that have a fixed size.
  • Efficient Insertions and Deletions: Insertions and deletions can be performed in constant time (O(1)) if the position is known, compared to arrays where shifting elements can take linear time (O(n)).
  • Memory Utilization: Linked lists can be more memory-efficient since they only use as much memory as needed.

Disadvantages of Linked Lists:

  • Extra Memory: Each node requires extra memory to store the pointer, which can be a significant overhead for large lists.
  • No Random Access: Nodes cannot be accessed directly; you must traverse from the head, resulting in linear time complexity (O(n)) for access operations.
  • Caching: Linked lists are not cache-friendly since elements are not stored in contiguous memory locations, which can affect performance on modern hardware.

6. How do you implement a doubly linked list in C? Provide a code snippet.

A doubly linked list is a variation of a singly linked list where each node contains two pointers: one pointing to the next node and another pointing to the previous node. This allows for bidirectional traversal.

Doubly Linked List Implementation:

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

struct Node {
    int data;
    struct Node* next;
    struct Node* prev;
};

void push(struct Node** head_ref, int new_data) {
    struct Node* new_node = (struct Node*)malloc(sizeof(struct Node));
    new_node->data = new_data;
    new_node->next = (*head_ref);
    new_node->prev = NULL;
    if ((*head_ref) != NULL) (*head_ref)->prev = new_node;
    (*head_ref) = new_node;
}

void printList(struct Node* node) {
    struct Node* last;
    printf("Traversal in forward direction\n");
    while (node != NULL) {
        printf("%d ", node->data);
        last = node;
        node = node->next;
    }
    printf("\nTraversal in reverse direction\n");
    while (last != NULL) {
        printf("%d ", last->data);
        last = last->prev;
    }
    printf("\n");
}

int main() {
    struct Node* head = NULL;
    push(&head, 10);
    push(&head, 20);
    push(&head, 30);
    printList(head);
    return 0;
}

7. What are the use cases for stacks and queues in real-world applications?

Stack Use Cases:

  • Function Call Management: Managing function calls and returns in programming languages.
  • Expression Evaluation: Parsing expressions in compilers (Infix to Postfix).
  • Undo Mechanism: Implementing undo and redo features in software applications.
  • Backtracking Algorithms: Solving puzzles like mazes, finding permutations, etc.
  • Bracket Matching: Checking for balanced parentheses in expressions.

Queue Use Cases:

  • Scheduling: Task and job scheduling in operating systems.
  • Breadth-First Search (BFS): Graph traversal algorithms.
  • Buffer Management: Managing print jobs, loading websites, etc.
  • Resource Management: Controlling access to shared resources in concurrent systems.
  • Message Passing: Communication between processes (e.g., Queues in Message Queuing Systems).

8. How can you detect a loop in a linked list? Provide an algorithm and code snippet.

Detecting a loop in a linked list can be efficiently done using Floyd’s Cycle-Finding Algorithm, also known as the Tortoise and Hare algorithm.

Algorithm:

  1. Initialize two pointers, slow and fast. Both start at the head of the list.
  2. Move slow by one step and fast by two steps.
  3. If there is a loop, slow and fast will meet at some node inside the loop.
  4. If fast reaches the end (NULL), then there is no loop.

Code Snippet:

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

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

void push(struct Node** head_ref, int new_data) {
    struct Node* new_node = (struct Node*)malloc(sizeof(struct Node));
    new_node->data = new_data;
    new_node->next = (*head_ref);
    (*head_ref) = new_node;
}

bool detectLoop(struct Node* head) {
    struct Node *slow = head, *fast = head;
    while (slow && fast && fast->next) {
        slow = slow->next;
        fast = fast->next->next;
        if (slow == fast) {
            return true;
        }
    }
    return false;
}

int main() {
    struct Node* head = NULL;
    push(&head, 10);
    push(&head, 20);
    push(&head, 30);
    push(&head, 40);

    // Creating a loop for testing
    head->next->next->next->next = head;

    if (detectLoop(head)) printf("Loop detected\n");
    else printf("No Loop\n");

    return 0;
}

9. How can you reverse a singly linked list in C?

Reversing a singly linked list involves changing the direction of the pointers, making the last node the new head and the previous nodes point backward.

Algorithm:

  1. Initialize three pointers: prev as NULL, current as head, and next as NULL.
  2. Traverse the list. In each iteration:
    • Store the next node (next = current->next).
    • Reverse the current node's pointer (current->next = prev).
    • Move the prev and current one step forward (prev = current, current = next).

Code Snippet:

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

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

void push(struct Node** head_ref, int new_data) {
    struct Node* new_node = (struct Node*)malloc(sizeof(struct Node));
    new_node->data = new_data;
    new_node->next = (*head_ref);
    (*head_ref) = new_node;
}

void reverse(struct Node** head_ref) {
    struct Node *prev = NULL, *current = *head_ref, *next = NULL;
    while (current != NULL) {
        next = current->next;  
        current->next = prev;
        prev = current;
        current = next;
    }
    *head_ref = prev;
}

void printList(struct Node* node) {
    while (node != NULL) {
        printf("%d ", node->data);
        node = node->next;
    }
    printf("\n");
}

int main() {
    struct Node* head = NULL;
    push(&head, 1);
    push(&head, 2);
    push(&head, 3);
    push(&head, 4);

    printf("Original Linked List: \n");
    printList(head);

    reverse(&head);

    printf("Reversed Linked List: \n");
    printList(head);

    return 0;
}

10. What is the difference between a singly linked list and a doubly linked list?

Singly Linked List:

  • Each node contains data and a single pointer to the next node.
  • Supports traversal in one direction only (forward).
  • Uses less memory per node compared to a doubly linked list.

Doubly Linked List:

  • Each node contains data and two pointers: one to the next node and one to the previous node.
  • Supports traversal in both directions (forward and backward).
  • Uses more memory per node due to the additional pointer.

Key Differences:

  • Traversal: Singly linked lists allow traversal in one direction, while doubly linked lists allow traversal in both directions.
  • Memory Usage: Singly linked lists use less memory per node (one pointer), whereas doubly linked lists use more memory (two pointers).
  • Insertion and Deletion: In a doubly linked list, insertion and deletion are more efficient since you can traverse in both directions and don’t always need to start from the head of the list.

Understanding these differences helps in choosing the appropriate data structure based on the specific requirements of the application.