juniorLinked Lists
How to delete the first node?
Updated Apr 28, 2026
Short answer
Update the head pointer to point to the current second node (head.next).
Deep explanation
Linked lists are the foundation of dynamic data structures. Update the head pointer to point to the current second node (head.next). They provide O(1) insertion at the front, which is superior to O(n) in arrays.
Real-world example
Undo functionality in text editors.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting to handle the case where the list is empty (Null check).
Follow-up questions
- What is the search complexity?