Recall & Review
beginner
What is a stack and how does it work?
A stack is a collection where elements are added and removed from only one end called the top. It works on Last In, First Out (LIFO) principle, meaning the last element added is the first to be removed.
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beginner
What is the role of a linked list in stack implementation?
A linked list stores stack elements dynamically. Each node holds data and a pointer to the next node. The top of the stack points to the first node, allowing easy push and pop operations without fixed size limits.
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intermediate
Explain the push operation in a stack implemented with a linked list.
Push adds a new node at the start of the linked list. The new node's next pointer points to the current top node. Then, the top pointer updates to this new node, making it the new top of the stack.
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intermediate
How does the pop operation work in a linked list stack?
Pop removes the top node from the linked list. The top pointer moves to the next node after the current top. The removed node's memory is freed, and its data is returned.
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beginner
What happens if you try to pop from an empty stack implemented using a linked list?
If the stack is empty (top is NULL), pop operation cannot remove any element. This is called stack underflow, and the program should handle it by showing an error or returning a special value.
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What does LIFO stand for in stack operations?
✗ Incorrect
LIFO means the last element added to the stack is the first one to be removed.
In a linked list stack, where is the new element added during push?
✗ Incorrect
Push adds the new node at the start of the linked list, updating the top pointer.
What pointer does the top of the stack hold in a linked list implementation?
✗ Incorrect
The top pointer points to the first node in the linked list representing the stack's top.
What is stack underflow?
✗ Incorrect
Stack underflow happens when pop is called on an empty stack.
Which operation frees memory in a linked list stack?
✗ Incorrect
Pop removes the top node and frees its memory.
Describe how push and pop operations work in a stack implemented using a linked list.
Think about how the linked list nodes connect and how the top pointer changes.
You got /4 concepts.
Explain what happens when you try to pop from an empty stack implemented with a linked list and how to handle it.
Consider what the top pointer value means when the stack is empty.
You got /4 concepts.