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LetsGit.IT/Categories/Data Structures
Data Structureseasy

Difference between Array and LinkedList?

Tags
#array#linked-list#comparison#performance
Back to categoryPractice quiz

Answer

An array (or ArrayList/dynamic array) stores elements next to each other in memory, so random access is O(1). Inserts/deletes in the middle are O(n) because elements must shift (and resizing may copy). A LinkedList stores nodes linked by pointers: inserts/deletes at a known node are O(1), but random access is O(n) and it uses extra memory.

Advanced answer

Deep dive

Expanding on the short answer — what usually matters in practice:

  • Context (tags): array, linked-list, comparison, performance
  • Complexity: compare typical operations (average vs worst-case).
  • Invariants: what must always hold for correctness.
  • When the choice is wrong: production symptoms (latency, GC, cache misses).
  • Explain the "why", not just the "what" (intuition + consequences).
  • Trade-offs: what you gain/lose (time, memory, complexity, risk).
  • Edge cases: empty inputs, large inputs, invalid inputs, concurrency.

Examples

A tiny example (an explanation template):

// Example: discuss trade-offs for "difference-between-array-and-linkedlist?"
function explain() {
  // Start from the core idea:
  // Arrays have fixed size and fast access (O(1)). LinkedLists have dynamic size and fast inse
}

Common pitfalls

  • Too generic: no concrete trade-offs or examples.
  • Mixing average-case and worst-case (e.g., complexity).
  • Ignoring constraints: memory, concurrency, network/disk costs.

Interview follow-ups

  • When would you choose an alternative and why?
  • What production issues show up and how do you diagnose them?
  • How would you test edge cases?

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