Why Push Using Linked List Node in DSA Typescript?

The Big Idea

What if you could add items instantly without moving everything else?

The Scenario

Imagine you have a stack of books on your desk. You want to add a new book on top, but you have to move all the books one by one to make space. This is like manually managing data without a proper structure.

The Problem

Manually shifting items every time you add something is slow and confusing. You might lose track or make mistakes, especially if the stack is big. It's hard to keep everything organized and fast.

The Solution

Using a linked list node to push means you just create a new node and link it on top. No shifting needed. It's like placing the new book directly on top without moving others. This keeps things simple, fast, and error-free.

Before vs After

✗ Before

let stack = [1, 2, 3];
// To push 4 manually:
stack = [4].concat(stack);

✓ After

class Node {
  value: number;
  next: Node | null;
  constructor(value: number) {
    this.value = value;
    this.next = null;
  }
}

let top: Node | null = null;
function push(value: number) {
  const newNode = new Node(value);
  newNode.next = top;
  top = newNode;
}

What It Enables

This lets you add items instantly on top, making stacks and other data structures fast and easy to manage.

Real Life Example

Think of a browser's back button history. Each new page you visit is pushed on top, so you can go back step-by-step without rearranging the whole history.

Key Takeaways

Manual adding is slow and error-prone.

Push with linked list node adds instantly on top.

It keeps data organized and operations fast.

Practice

1. What does the push operation do in a linked list when using nodes?

easy

A. Adds a new node at the beginning of the list

B. Removes the last node from the list

C. Searches for a node with a specific value

D. Deletes the first node of the list

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand push operation in linked list

   The push operation adds a new node to the start (head) of the linked list.

2. Step 2: Effect of push on linked list

   The new node becomes the new head, pointing to the previous first node.

3. Final Answer:

   Adds a new node at the beginning of the list -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Push means add at head = D [OK]

Hint: Push always adds node at the start of the list [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing push with pop (removal)
• Thinking push adds at the end
• Mixing push with search or delete

2. Which of the following is the correct TypeScript syntax to create a new node and push it to the front of a singly linked list?

easy

A. newNode = new Node(value); head = newNode.next;

B. const newNode = Node(value); head.next = newNode; head = newNode;

C. const newNode = new Node(value); newNode.next = head; head = newNode;

D. head = new Node(value); head.next = null;

Solution

1. Step 1: Create a new node with given value

   Use new Node(value) to create a node instance.

2. Step 2: Link new node to current head and update head

   Set newNode.next = head and then head = newNode to push at front.

3. Final Answer:

   const newNode = new Node(value); newNode.next = head; head = newNode; -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   New node points to old head, head updated = A [OK]

Hint: New node next points to head, then head updated [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting to link new node's next to old head
• Assigning head.next instead of newNode.next
• Not updating head to new node

3. What will be the linked list after executing this TypeScript code?

class Node {
  value: number;
  next: Node | null = null;
  constructor(value: number) { this.value = value; }
}

let head: Node | null = null;

function push(value: number) {
  const newNode = new Node(value);
  newNode.next = head;
  head = newNode;
}

push(10);
push(20);
push(30);

medium

A. null -> 10 -> 20 -> 30

B. 10 -> 20 -> 30 -> null

C. 20 -> 30 -> 10 -> null

D. 30 -> 20 -> 10 -> null

Solution

1. Step 1: Push 10 to empty list

   Head becomes node with value 10, next is null.

2. Step 2: Push 20 and then 30

   Each new node points to previous head, so order is 30 -> 20 -> 10 -> null.

3. Final Answer:

   30 -> 20 -> 10 -> null -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Last pushed is head = A [OK]

Hint: Last pushed node is always new head [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming push adds at tail
• Reading list in wrong order
• Confusing next pointers

4. Identify the error in this push function for a singly linked list:

function push(value: number) {
  const newNode = new Node(value);
  head.next = newNode;
  head = newNode;
}

medium

A. head might be null causing runtime error

B. head.next = newNode is missing

C. head is assigned before linking newNode

D. Node constructor is called incorrectly

Solution

1. Step 1: Check head usage before assignment

   The code uses head.next without checking if head is null.

2. Step 2: Consequence of head being null

   If list is empty (head null), accessing head.next causes runtime error.

3. Final Answer:

   head might be null causing runtime error -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Accessing head.next without null check = B [OK]

Hint: Always check if head is null before accessing head.next [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Not checking for empty list before push
• Forgetting to set newNode.next
• Assigning head incorrectly

5. Given a linked list with nodes containing values [5, 15, 25] (5 is head), what will be the list after pushing 35 and then 45 using the push function?
Also, explain how the head changes after each push.

hard

A. 35 -> 45 -> 5 -> 15 -> 25 -> null; head moves to 35 then 45

B. 45 -> 35 -> 5 -> 15 -> 25 -> null; head moves to newest node each push

C. 5 -> 15 -> 25 -> 35 -> 45 -> null; head stays at 5

D. null; list is cleared after push

Solution

1. Step 1: Initial list and push 35

   Original head is 5. Push 35 creates new node 35 pointing to 5. Head updates to 35.

2. Step 2: Push 45 and update head

   Push 45 creates new node 45 pointing to 35. Head updates to 45. Final list: 45 -> 35 -> 5 -> 15 -> 25 -> null.

3. Final Answer:

   45 -> 35 -> 5 -> 15 -> 25 -> null; head moves to newest node each push -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Push adds at front, head updates = C [OK]

Hint: Head always points to last pushed node [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming push adds at tail
• Not updating head after push
• Confusing node order after pushes