Memory Layout Comparison Array vs Linked List in DSA Python - Build Both Approaches

Memory Layout Comparison: Array vs Linked List

📖 Scenario: Imagine you have a row of mailboxes (like an array) and a chain of mailboxes connected by ropes (like a linked list). You want to see how these two ways of organizing mailboxes look in memory.

🎯 Goal: You will create a simple array and a linked list with the same numbers. Then, you will print their contents to understand how data is stored and accessed differently.

📋 What You'll Learn

Create a list called array_numbers with the values 10, 20, 30, 40, 50

Create a linked list using a Node class with the same values in order

Write a function print_linked_list(head) to print linked list values separated by arrows

Print the array_numbers elements separated by arrows

Print the linked list elements separated by arrows

💡 Why This Matters

🌍 Real World

Understanding arrays and linked lists helps in choosing the right data structure for tasks like managing playlists, undo history, or memory buffers.

💼 Career

Software developers often decide between arrays and linked lists based on performance needs and memory usage in applications.

1

Create an array with numbers

Create a list called array_numbers with these exact values: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50

DSA Python

# Create the list array_numbers with values 10, 20, 30, 40, 50
# Your code here

Hint

Use square brackets [] to create a list with the given numbers separated by commas.

2

Create a linked list with the same numbers

Define a class called Node with attributes value and next. Then create linked list nodes for values 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 connected in order. Assign the first node to a variable called head.

DSA Python

array_numbers = [10, 20, 30, 40, 50]

# Define Node class and create linked list nodes connected in order
# Your code here

Hint

Create a Node class with value and next attributes. Then link nodes by setting next to the next node.

3

Write a function to print the linked list

Write a function called print_linked_list(head) that prints the linked list values separated by arrows like 10 -> 20 -> 30 -> 40 -> 50 -> None.

DSA Python

array_numbers = [10, 20, 30, 40, 50]

class Node:
    def __init__(self, value):
        self.value = value
        self.next = None

head = Node(10)
second = Node(20)
third = Node(30)
fourth = Node(40)
fifth = Node(50)

head.next = second
second.next = third
third.next = fourth
fourth.next = fifth

# Define print_linked_list(head) function to print linked list values
# Your code here

Hint

Use a while loop to go through each node until current is None. Print each value followed by an arrow.

4

Print the array and linked list

Print the array_numbers elements separated by arrows like 10 -> 20 -> 30 -> 40 -> 50 -> None. Then call print_linked_list(head) to print the linked list.

DSA Python

array_numbers = [10, 20, 30, 40, 50]

class Node:
    def __init__(self, value):
        self.value = value
        self.next = None

head = Node(10)
second = Node(20)
third = Node(30)
fourth = Node(40)
fifth = Node(50)

head.next = second
second.next = third
third.next = fourth
fourth.next = fifth

def print_linked_list(head):
    current = head
    while current is not None:
        print(current.value, end=" -> ")
        current = current.next
    print("None")

# Print array_numbers elements separated by arrows
# Then print linked list using print_linked_list(head)
# Your code here

Hint

Use a for loop to print each number in array_numbers followed by an arrow. Then print None. Finally, call print_linked_list(head).