Linked list

Question

What are sequential access structures? Are arrays or linked list the sequential access structures?

Comments

Sequential access structures are those where you have to access data sequentially from the start. Like in a linked list, we traverse from the head until we find the required node.

while Random access / Direct access structures are those in which you can access a memory location by means of some indexing. Like, in an array we can reach a location by its index.

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@gauravkc

Does that mean that every random access structure is also a sequential structure in a way? But the reverse is not true.

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No. Consider the hash table. Elements stored in a hash table can be accessed through an index and hence is a random access structure. However, the elements need not be in a specific order with respect to the key used.

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Alright! Thank you @gauravkc.

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You don't need to close any question once you receive answer. Closing is used for bad or unwanted questions

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Alright.

Answer 1

Elements in which can be visited in a sequential manner, yes linked list is a sequential  access structure.

Comments

Arrays can also be visited in sequential manner. Then why not arrays as well?

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Yes, I did not see arrays in your question.

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Thanks! Arrays are not sequential structures.

Answer 2

linked lists are

Comments

Thank you!