Mastering Fundamentals: C++ and Data Structures

A Quick Guide to Circular Linked List in C++

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A Quick Guide to Circular Linked List in C++

    Header in C++

    C++ Pointers

    Displaying A to Z characters using a loop: C++ Program

    Working of Jump Statements in C++

    Inline Functions in C++

    Understanding Substr() Function in C++

    Constructor vs Destructor in C++

    Understanding Copy Constructor in C++

    Becoming Friends with Friend Function in C++

    How File Handling Works in C++

    A Detailed Overview of Macros in C++

    List in C++

    A Set Data Structure (STL) In C++

    A Quick Guide to Circular Linked List in C++

    Stack using Linked List in C++

    How to Sort a Vector in C++

    What are Priority Queues in C++?

    Guide To 5 Data Structures In C++

What is a circular linked list in C++?

Another data structure that improves on the linked list data structure is the circular linked list in C++. As we have learned, a linked list is a type of data structure in which each node has a link to the node after it, with the last node referring to null. Similar to a linked list, a circular linked list includes links connecting each node to the one after it. Unlike a linked list, the final node in a circular linked list connects to the list's head rather than null.

Why Circular Linked List?

Moving through the list is simple.

Since the list has a loop-like structure, the entire list may be explored from any node. Because of this, moving from the final node to the first node just requires one step.

Application of a cutting-edge data structure

Modern data structures like queues and others are implemented using circular linked lists.

Useful in applications that loop back on themselves

Circular linked lists make it simple to create applications that loop endlessly or never stop.

Structure of the circular linked list

There are two types of circular links: single and double. The following collection of code may be used to define them in a program.

The individually circular linked list includes:-

struct node
{
   int data;
   struct node *next;
}

This is a doubly circular linked list:-

struct node  
{ 
  struct node *prev;
  int data;
  struct node *next; 
}   

Operation on the circular linked list in C++

  • Inserting at the list's beginning.
  • At the end of the list, insert.
  • Inserting at a Particular Place in the List
  • Removing from the list's beginning.
  • Removing from the list's end.
  • Removal of a Particular Node from the List
  • Dividing a list into two equal parts
  • List insertion with sorting

Code Example

#include <iostream>
#include <stdlib.h>

struct node {
    int num;
    struct node * nextptr;
}*startnode;

void creation(int n);
void display();

int main() //main method
{
    int n;
    startnode = NULL;

    printf("Enter the number of nodes : ");
    scanf("%d", &n);
    creation(n);
    display();
    return 0;
}

void creation(int n)//function to create list
{
    int i, num;
    struct node *preptr, *newnode;

    if(n >= 1)
    {
        startnode = (struct node *)malloc(sizeof(struct node));

        printf("Input val for node 1: ");
        scanf("%d", &num);
        startnode->num = num;
        startnode->nextptr = NULL;
        preptr = startnode;
        for(i=2; i<=n; i++)
        {
            newnode = (struct node *)malloc(sizeof(struct node));
            printf("Input val for node %d : ", i);
            scanf("%d", &num);
            newnode->num = num;
            newnode->nextptr = NULL;
            preptr->nextptr = newnode;
            preptr = newnode;  
        }
        preptr->nextptr = startnode;
    }
}

void display() //function to display list
{
    struct node *tmp;
    int n,i;

    if(startnode == NULL)
    {
        printf("List is empty");
    }
    else
    {
        tmp = startnode;
        printf("\nData entered in the list are :\n");

      do {
            printf("Node %d : %d\n", n, tmp->num);

            tmp = tmp->nextptr;
            n++;
        }while(tmp != startnode);
    }
}

Output:
Enter the number of nodes : 5
Input val for node 1: : 11
Input val for node 2: 22
Input val for node 3 : 33
Input val for node 4: 44
Input val for node 5: 55

Data entered in the list are :
Node 0 : 11
Node 1 : 22
Node 2 : 33
Node 3 : 44
Node 4 : 55

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Applications of Circular Linked List in C++

The circular linked list has numerous practical uses, and it is used to build a variety of intricate data structures. Here are a few of them:

  • The operating system uses circular linked lists to manage computer resources. Additionally, linked lists are frequently used in scheduling circulars.
  • Token scheduling in computer networks uses circular linked lists.
  • Circular linked lists are used to build a variety of sophisticated data structures, including the Fibonacci Heap.
  • It may also be used to implement the data structures queue and stack.