C linked sorted lists

Explanation of Linked Sorted Lists in C

In C, a linked list is a linear data structure where elements are stored in nodes. Each node contains a data field and a reference (link) to the next node in the sequence. A sorted linked list is a linked list in which the elements are arranged in a specific order, such as ascending or descending order. Here's an explanation of the steps involved in working with sorted linked lists in C:

1. Creating a Node Structure:
2. The first step is to define a structure for the nodes in the linked list. Each node should contain a data field to hold the value and a pointer field to link to the next node.

3. Example: struct Node { int data; struct Node* next; };

4. Inserting Elements in Sorted Order:

5. When inserting a new element into a sorted linked list, it's important to maintain the sorted order. The new element should be inserted at the appropriate position to keep the list sorted.

6. Example: ``` void insertSorted(struct Node headRef, int newData) { struct Node newNode = (struct Node)malloc(sizeof(struct Node)); newNode->data = newData; newNode->next = NULL;

    if (headRef == NULL || (headRef)->data >= newNode->data) {
        newNode->next = *headRef;
        *headRef = newNode;
    } else {
        struct Node current = headRef;
        while (current->next != NULL && current->next->data < newNode->data) {
            current = current->next;
        }
        newNode->next = current->next;
        current->next = newNode;
    }
   

   } ```

7. Traversing the Sorted Linked List:

8. Traversing a sorted linked list involves visiting each node in the list in the order of their arrangement. This can be done using a loop that iterates through the list, starting from the head node.

9. Example: void traverseList(struct Node* head) { struct Node* current = head; while (current != NULL) { printf("%d -> ", current->data); current = current->next; } printf("NULL\n"); }

10. Deleting Elements from the Sorted Linked List:

11. When deleting an element from a sorted linked list, it's important to maintain the sorted order after the deletion. The element to be deleted should be removed from the list without disrupting the sorted arrangement.
12. Example: ``` void deleteNode(struct Node headRef, int key) { struct Node temp = headRef, *prev;

     if (temp != NULL && temp->data == key) {
         *headRef = temp->next;
         free(temp);
         return;
     }
    
     while (temp != NULL && temp->data != key) {
         prev = temp;
         temp = temp->next;
     }
    
     if (temp == NULL) return;
    
     prev->next = temp->next;
     free(temp);
    

    } ```

These are the fundamental steps involved in working with sorted linked lists in C. By following these steps, you can effectively create, manipulate, and maintain sorted linked lists in C.