What is the 'Head' and 'Tail'?

Updated Apr 28, 2026

Short answer

Head is the first node; Tail is the last node (usually pointing to null).

Deep explanation

Linked lists are the foundation of dynamic data structures. Head is the first node; Tail is the last node (usually pointing to null). 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?

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