C: Struct syntax Linked Lists

Question

Is the following

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

the only way one can define a struct so that one needn't write out struct inside of the rest of the program when using it?

I.e. by the above struct the following works just fine:

node* head = NULL;

But, is there another way to express the same struct that is generally considered better?

Explain: what do you mean by better ?

Yu Hao
– Yu Hao

2014-02-04 18:14:03 +00:00
Commented Feb 4, 2014 at 18:14 — Yu Hao
– Yu Hao, Commented Feb 4, 2014 at 18:14
Less verbose without impacting comprehension negatively.

user2590005
– user2590005

2014-02-04 18:22:28 +00:00
Commented Feb 4, 2014 at 18:22 — user2590005
– user2590005, Commented Feb 4, 2014 at 18:22

Michael Rawson · Accepted Answer · 2014-02-04 18:18:14Z

2

No. You could also do:

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

'Better' isn't really a qualifier that can be applied to these; to my knowledge there is no advantage to one or the other.

edited Feb 4, 2014 at 18:18

answered Feb 4, 2014 at 18:13

Michael Rawson

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Comments

Michael · Accepted Answer · 2014-02-04 18:15:09Z

0

Nope! You're spot on. In C++ this isn't necessary, but in C some people (Linux kernel for example) where they prefer leaving things as structs (see here)

answered Feb 4, 2014 at 18:15

Michael

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2 Comments

user2590005 Over a year ago

Thank you, that's an interesting link you've provided. Do you know why they do this?

Michael Over a year ago

here's the master himself explaining why: yarchive.net/comp/linux/typedefs.html

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