A Linked List Instead Of an Array When Should You Use

Question

A Linked List Instead Of an Array When Should You Use?

Answer 1

Generally, the data structures you would be deciding between when you are considering a linked list are arrays and linked lists. (ArrayLists are just self-expanding arrays.)

The major considerations are whether you already know how many spaces you will require in your array and whether you need direct access to the elements.

Space

If you require conserve space while holding an unknown number of elements, linked lists would be looking good. Using standard double-when-the-array-is-too-small scheme could make you end up using nearly twice as much space as you require; using a linked list will never cause you to reserve un-used space.

Direct Access

If you are going to carry out a sort on your list, you probably want to employ an array, since most sorts jump around between elements as they sort.

If you really desire to sort a linked list, bubble sort is probably your best option; because it does not need jumping around you can just switch the pointers around when you require swap nodes.