What is the Difference Between Arrays and Linked Lists?

Arrays and linked lists are both linear data structures used to store data elements, but they have different characteristics and are suitable for different purposes. Here are the main differences between arrays and linked lists:

1. Memory allocation: Arrays store elements in contiguous memory locations, while linked lists store elements in randomly allocated memory locations, with each element pointing to the next.
2. Accessing elements: In arrays, elements can be accessed faster because their addresses are easily calculable, while accessing elements in a linked list takes more time due to the non-contiguous memory allocation.
3. Memory size: Arrays have a fixed memory size, which cannot be changed during runtime, while linked lists can allocate memory during runtime and elements can be added or removed more easily.
4. Independence of elements: Elements in an array are independent of each other, while elements in a linked list are dependent on each other, as each node contains the address of the next node.
5. Assignment of memory: Memory for arrays is assigned at compile time, while memory for linked lists is assigned at runtime.
6. Insertion and deletion: Insertion and deletion of elements in arrays can require shifting existing elements, while insertion and deletion in linked lists can be done more easily, as only the pointers to the next and previous nodes need to be updated.

In summary, arrays offer faster element access and are better suited for situations where element access is constant. Linked lists, on the other hand, offer more flexibility in memory allocation and are better suited for scenarios where elements can be added or removed dynamically.

Comparative Table: Arrays vs Linked Lists

Here is a table comparing the differences between arrays and linked lists:

In summary, arrays store elements in contiguous memory locations, have a fixed memory size, and provide faster access using array indexes. Linked lists, on the other hand, store elements in non-contiguous memory locations, have a dynamic memory size, and provide slower access compared to arrays. Arrays are suitable for applications requiring random access, while linked lists are suitable for applications requiring insertion or deletion at any position.