Data Structures Interview Question: Array vs Linked List

Array

An array is a data structure that stores elements of the same data type in contiguous memory locations.

Advantages of Array:

• Allows random access to elements using index
• Simple to implement and use
• Requires less memory overhead

Disadvantages of Array:

• Fixed size, difficult to resize dynamically
• Inserting or deleting elements in the middle is inefficient

Linked List

A linked list is a data structure where each element (node) contains a reference to the next element, forming a chain of nodes.

Advantages of Linked List:

• Dynamic size, can easily grow or shrink
• Efficient insertion and deletion of elements anywhere in the list

Disadvantages of Linked List:

• Requires extra memory for storing references to the next element
• No random access, traversal required to access elements

Both array and linked list have their own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between them depends on the specific use case and requirements of the application.