linkednode

A linked node is a fundamental data structure element, often referred to as a node, within a linked list or other more complex linked data structures. Each linked node typically contains two primary components: data and a reference, often called a pointer or link, to the next node in the sequence. The data component can store any type of information, such as a number, string, or a more complex object. The reference component points to the memory address of the subsequent node. In a singly linked list, each node points to only one next node, forming a linear chain. Doubly linked lists extend this concept by having each node also contain a reference to the previous node, allowing for bidirectional traversal.

The concept of a linked node is crucial for understanding how linked lists work. When traversing a linked list, one starts at the head node and follows the links from one node to the next until the end of the list is reached, which is typically indicated by a null reference in the last node. This structure allows for dynamic memory allocation and efficient insertion and deletion of elements compared to static arrays, as nodes can be added or removed without needing to shift subsequent elements. The individual nodes are the building blocks that enable the flexible and dynamic nature of linked data structures.