Western Governors University (WGU) ICSC2100 C949 Data Structures and Algorithms I Practice Exam

A doubly linked list is a type of data structure that extends the capabilities of a singly linked list by including two pointers for each node: one that points to the next node and another that points to the previous node. This dual-pointer approach enables bidirectional traversal of the list, allowing for reverse iteration.

In a singly linked list, each node contains a single pointer to the next node, which restricts traversal to a single direction (from the head towards the tail). In contrast, the doubly linked list allows operations such as insertion and deletion from either end more efficiently, and it enables easier navigation back through the list as well. This makes the doubly linked list more versatile, particularly in scenarios where reverse searching or undo operations are required.