Implementation Of Linked List in Java

In this blog we are going to find out the ways to implement Linked List operations using Java Framework methods. Also we are going to study about the Memory Management techniques in Linked List.

A linked list can be implemented in Java using the Linked List class from the java.util package. This class implements a doubly-linked list, which means that each element in the list has references to both the next and previous elements. This enables fast insertion and removal of elements at any point in the list, as well as fast traversal in both directions.

You can use the Linked List class by creating a new instance and then using its methods to add, remove, and access elements.

Here's a quick rundown of some basic linked list operations in Java, along with the corresponding code syntax:

Hence, a fresh linked list of strings is produced.

Adding Elements to a Linked List:

Use the add() method to add an element towards the end of a linked list.

The word "apple" is added at the end of the linked list in this manner.

The add(int index, E element) method can be used to add an element at a given index.

By doing this, "orange" is added to the linked list's header.

Removing Elements from a Linked List:

Use the remove() method to eliminate a linked list element.

By doing this, the string "apple" is eliminated from the linked list.

Use the remove(int index) method to eliminate an element at a certain index.

The linked list's first element is eliminated as a result.

Accessing Elements in a Linked List:

Use the get() method to get an element in a linked list.

The linked list's first element is fetched using this.

Checking if an element is in a Linked List:

Use the contains() method to determine whether a specific element is present in a linked list.

If the string "banana" appears in the linked list, a message is printed out.

The above are some of the basic operations of Linked List in java which are used very commonly but there are many more than that.

Here's a list of some of the widely used Java Linked List methods :

Memory Management in Linked List

Dynamic Memory Allocation:

Memory is dynamically allocated for the nodes when a linked list is constructed. Each node in the list has a pointer to the next node and, if possible, a pointer to the node before it (in the case of a doubly linked list). These pointers make it possible to navigate and modify the list as necessary.

Memory is dynamically allocated for each node when they are added to the list. The memory assigned to a node is also released when it is eliminated from the list. The ability of linked lists to expand and contract in size as necessary is made possible by the dynamic allocation and deallocation of memory.

Memory Leaks:

Programs that use dynamic memory allocation, including those that use linked lists, frequently experience memory leaks. When a program dynamically allocates memory but forgets to release it when it is no longer required, the result is a memory leak. These unused memory blocks can build up over time and eventually cause the software to crash or run out of memory.

When nodes are deleted from linked lists but their related memory is not released, memory leaks may happen. This may occur if the application neglects to properly update the pointers connecting the nodes or if it fails to release the memory allocated to the deleted node. For instance, the software might hang onto a memory block even if it is no longer required if a node is deleted from a linked list but its memory is not freed. A memory leak might result from this.

Garbage Collection:

Several programming languages employ garbage collection as a way to automatically free up memory that is no longer required by a program. Garbage collection, a crucial component of memory management in Java, reclaims memory from objects that the program is no longer using.

Garbage collection can assist in ensuring that memory is correctly managed and that memory leaks are prevented when used with linked lists. The application no longer requires the memory attached to a node when it is removed from a linked list. The Java Virtual Machine (JVM) might not be able to recognize that the memory is no longer required, so it might not be freed right away. Here comes the role of rubbish pickup.

In the case of linked lists, the JVM will ultimately recognize that a node is no longer being used and will release the memory attached to that node when it is removed from the list and is no longer referenced by any other component of the application.