What are the performance differences between arrays and linked lists?

What are the performance differences between arrays and linked lists?

Arrays provide O(1) access time for elements, while linked lists offer O(n) for access but O(1) for insertions and deletions.

Can you explain why linked lists are better for insertions?

Linked lists allow for easy insertions since you only need to adjust pointers, whereas arrays may require shifting elements.

What about memory usage? Which one is more efficient?

Arrays have a fixed size, which can lead to wasted space, while linked lists use more memory per element due to pointers.

Are there scenarios where one is preferred over the other?

Yes, use arrays for fast access and linked lists for frequent insertions/deletions, like in dynamic data scenarios.