Circular Linked List in Data Structure

What is a Circular Linked List?

A circular linked list connects the last and first nodes, resulting in a circle of interconnected nodes without a NULL at the end. Traversal is possible forever because there is no clear beginning and end.

Why a circular linked list?

A node always refers to another node, therefore NULL assignment is unnecessary. Any node can be used as the starting point. Nodes are quickly traversed from one to the next.

Representation of a Circular Linked List in Data Structures

When it comes to connecting the last node to the first node, circular-linked lists are comparable to single-linked lists.

Types of Circular Linked Lists

In Data Structures, circular linked lists are classified into two types:

1. Circular Singly Linked List
2. Doubly Circular Linked List

Basic Operations on Circular Linked Lists in Data Structures

• Insertion: Add a new node to any location in the list.
• Deletion: Removes a node from the list and updates pointers accordingly.
• Traversal: Visit each node in the list, starting at any node and looping back to the beginning.

Complexity Analysis of Circular Linked List Operations

Applications of Circular Linked List

• This is used in multiplayer games to ensure that every participant has a chance to play.
• A circular linked list in an operating system can be used to organize a large number of running programs.
• In resource allocation problems, circular linked lists may be advantageous.
• Circular linked lists are commonly used to create circular buffers.
• They can also be used for simulation and games.

Advantages of Circular Linked List

• Any node can begin traversal, which loops until the first visited node is repeated.
• Excellent for queues; no requirement for separate rear and front pointers.
• Suitable for cyclic processing, such as task scheduling in an operating system.
• Circular Doubly Linked Lists are essential for complex structures such as the Fibonacci Heap.
• Simpler to implement than trees or graphs.

Disadvantages of Circular Linked List

• Circular lists are more sophisticated than singly-linked lists.
• Reversing them is more difficult than with single or doubly linked lists.
• Careless handling can result in endless loops.
• It is more difficult to find and control loops.
• Performance might be slow, particularly when sorting or searching.
• No direct access to specific nodes.