What are the space complexities of arrays and linked lists?

What are the space complexities of arrays and linked lists?

Arrays have a space complexity of O(n), where n is the number of elements. Linked lists also have O(n) space complexity, but they require additional space for pointers.

Why do linked lists use more memory than arrays?

Linked lists use more memory because each node contains a pointer to the next node, in addition to the data. This overhead can add up.

Are there situations where one is better than the other?

Yes, arrays are better for random access due to their contiguous memory allocation, while linked lists are better for dynamic memory allocation and frequent insertions/deletions.

Can you give an example of when to use a linked list?

A linked list is ideal for implementing a queue where you frequently add and remove elements from both ends.