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Asked: 2024-09-24T19:53:52+05:30

You are tasked with creating a function that processes a sorted linked list to eliminate duplicate values. The input will be a linked list where each element’s value is non-decreasing. Your goal is to modify this list in such a way that each value appears only once, effectively removing any duplicates that occur consecutively. The final output should still maintain the sorted order of the list after removing the duplicates. Implement this function while ensuring that you do not use any additional data structures for storage.

I’ve been working on a fun coding challenge and thought I’d share it here. It’s all about linked lists, which can be a bit tricky, but I think it’s a great way to flex those algorithmic muscles! So, here’s the scenario: imagine you have a sorted linked list, and, as we all know, sorted lists have the unique property that their values are in non-decreasing order. However, the catch here is that this list is riddled with duplicate values appearing next to each other.

Your task, if you’re up for it, is to create a function that goes through this linked list and eliminates those duplicate values, so that each value appears only once. The tricky part? You can’t use any additional data structures like arrays, lists, or hash maps to do this! You’ll actually be modifying the linked list in place, which means you’ll have to be a bit thoughtful about how you rearrange the nodes while maintaining that sorted order.

Here’s how I see the problem breaking down: you start with a linked list that might look something like this:

1 -> 1 -> 2 -> 3 -> 3 -> 4 -> 4 -> 5

After you’re done processing it, it should look like this:

1 -> 2 -> 3 -> 4 -> 5

It’s like spring cleaning for your data structures! The process requires you to iterate through the list and compare each node with the next one. If they have the same value, you’ll want to skip over the next node. Don’t forget to link the current node to the node after the duplicate so that you don’t lose your list’s structure!

I’m really curious how people approach this! What strategies do you use to avoid those duplicates without falling back on other data structures? Any tips or tricks to streamline the process would be fantastic. And if you’ve tackled similar problems before, feel free to share your insights! I’m excited to see how everyone thinks through these kinds of challenges!

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    2 Answers

    1. To tackle the challenge of eliminating duplicates from a sorted linked list without utilizing any additional data structures, you’ll want to leverage the inherent properties of the linked list itself. Begin iterating from the head of the list and use a current pointer to traverse through each node. For each node, compare its value with that of the next node. If the values are the same, you will want to modify the current node’s next pointer to skip over the duplicate node. This effectively removes the duplicate from the list without needing extra storage, which is in line with the constraints given. It’s essential to continue this process until you reach the end of the list, ensuring that each value appears just once while maintaining the original sorted order.

      During the iteration, you should be careful to only advance the current pointer when duplicates are found, as you want to ensure that the list’s integrity is maintained. When implementing this algorithm, consider edge cases, such as lists with only one element or completely empty lists. Ensure your solution can handle these gracefully. A well-structured approach not only makes your function more efficient but also cleaner. This can be a good exercise in pointer manipulation and a great way to sharpen your skills in linked list operations!






    2. Linked List Duplicates Challenge

      Removing Duplicates from a Sorted Linked List

      Wow, this coding challenge sounds really interesting! 😄 I’m relatively new to linked lists, but I think I get the gist of what you’re saying. Here’s my understanding of how this could work!

      So, if I have a linked list like this:

      1 -> 1 -> 2 -> 3 -> 3 -> 4 -> 4 -> 5

      The goal is to remove the duplicates so that it looks like:

      1 -> 2 -> 3 -> 4 -> 5

      From what I can gather, I would need to loop through the linked list and compare each node to the next one. If they have the same value, I think I should just skip the next node. I guess this means changing the link of the current node to point to the node after the duplicate?

      Here’s a really basic idea of how the function could look in JavaScript:

      function removeDuplicates(head) {
    let current = head;
    while (current && current.next) {
        if (current.value === current.next.value) {
            current.next = current.next.next;  // Skip the duplicate node
        } else {
            current = current.next;  // Move to the next node
        }
    }
    return head;
}

      I hope that’s in the right direction! I’d love to hear what others are doing to solve this problem. Are there any common mistakes to watch out for? Also, are there specific strategies you’ve used when tackling linked lists? I’m really eager to learn more! 🤓