next pointer element in linked list structure

Question

In the code

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

Is next element pointer to pointer? And what does node=node->next do?

alk · Accepted Answer · 2015-04-03 14:11:07Z

1

The following isn't valid C (it won't compile):

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

You probably want:

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

Is next element pointer to pointer[?]

No, (if instantiated) next is a pointer to struct link.

what does node=node->next do?

It assigns to node where node->next would point to.

answered Apr 3, 2015 at 13:59

alk

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Comments

Sildoreth · Accepted Answer · 2015-04-03 13:58:02Z

0

In your struct, the instance field next stores a pointer to the next link.

This line

currNode = currNode->next;

...makes the pointer currNode point to the node that follows the node that currNode previously pointed to.

The operator -> is the same as dot syntax but for pointers.

However, in the code you provided node->next wouldn't do anything because you do not have a variable named "node".

Also, the definition of you struct won't compile. It should be struct link, not struct link *node.

answered Apr 3, 2015 at 13:36

Sildoreth

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There are some good websites around that explain linked lists, This one seemed at a cursory look to be ok cprogramming.com/tutorial/c/lesson15.html

@AngusConnell It was my understanding that the question was more about C and pointers than about linked lists. I guess we'll see what the OP does.