Deleting a Node in the Middle of a Linked List | Python Data Structures

Introduction

In Python, a linked list is a data structure that consists of a sequence of nodes, where each node contains a value and a reference to the next node. Deleting a node in the middle of a linked list can be a challenging task, especially when we only have access to that node. In this challenge, we will explore how to delete a node in the middle of a linked list, given only access to that node.

Skills Graph

%%%%{init: {'theme':'neutral'}}%%%% flowchart RL algorithm(("`Algorithm`")) -.-> algorithm/BasicAlgorithmsGroup(["`Basic Algorithms`"]) python(("`Python`")) -.-> python/ControlFlowGroup(["`Control Flow`"]) python(("`Python`")) -.-> python/DataStructuresGroup(["`Data Structures`"]) python(("`Python`")) -.-> python/FunctionsGroup(["`Functions`"]) python(("`Python`")) -.-> python/ObjectOrientedProgrammingGroup(["`Object-Oriented Programming`"]) python(("`Python`")) -.-> python/AdvancedTopicsGroup(["`Advanced Topics`"]) algorithm/BasicAlgorithmsGroup -.-> algorithm/linked_lists("`Linked Lists`") python/ControlFlowGroup -.-> python/conditional_statements("`Conditional Statements`") python/ControlFlowGroup -.-> python/while_loops("`While Loops`") python/DataStructuresGroup -.-> python/lists("`Lists`") python/DataStructuresGroup -.-> python/tuples("`Tuples`") python/FunctionsGroup -.-> python/function_definition("`Function Definition`") python/FunctionsGroup -.-> python/default_arguments("`Default Arguments`") python/ObjectOrientedProgrammingGroup -.-> python/classes_objects("`Classes and Objects`") python/ObjectOrientedProgrammingGroup -.-> python/constructor("`Constructor`") python/ObjectOrientedProgrammingGroup -.-> python/polymorphism("`Polymorphism`") python/ObjectOrientedProgrammingGroup -.-> python/encapsulation("`Encapsulation`") python/AdvancedTopicsGroup -.-> python/iterators("`Iterators`") python/FunctionsGroup -.-> python/build_in_functions("`Build-in Functions`") subgraph Lab Skills algorithm/linked_lists -.-> lab-268841{{"`Deleting Middle Node in Python Linked List`"}} python/conditional_statements -.-> lab-268841{{"`Deleting Middle Node in Python Linked List`"}} python/while_loops -.-> lab-268841{{"`Deleting Middle Node in Python Linked List`"}} python/lists -.-> lab-268841{{"`Deleting Middle Node in Python Linked List`"}} python/tuples -.-> lab-268841{{"`Deleting Middle Node in Python Linked List`"}} python/function_definition -.-> lab-268841{{"`Deleting Middle Node in Python Linked List`"}} python/default_arguments -.-> lab-268841{{"`Deleting Middle Node in Python Linked List`"}} python/classes_objects -.-> lab-268841{{"`Deleting Middle Node in Python Linked List`"}} python/constructor -.-> lab-268841{{"`Deleting Middle Node in Python Linked List`"}} python/polymorphism -.-> lab-268841{{"`Deleting Middle Node in Python Linked List`"}} python/encapsulation -.-> lab-268841{{"`Deleting Middle Node in Python Linked List`"}} python/iterators -.-> lab-268841{{"`Deleting Middle Node in Python Linked List`"}} python/build_in_functions -.-> lab-268841{{"`Deleting Middle Node in Python Linked List`"}} end

Delete Mid

Problem

Given a non-circular, singly linked list, delete a node in the middle of the list, given only access to that node. If the final node is being deleted, make it a dummy with value None. You can assume that we already have a linked list class that can be used for this problem.

Requirements

To solve this problem, we need to consider the following requirements:

The linked list is non-circular and singly linked.

If the final node is being deleted, make it a dummy with value None.

We already have a linked list class that can be used for this problem.

Example Usage

Here are some examples of how to use this function:

Deleting on an empty list should return None.

Deleting None should return None.

Deleting on a list with one node should return [None].

Deleting on a list with multiple nodes should return the updated list with the node deleted.

Summary

In this challenge, we explored how to delete a node in the middle of a linked list, given only access to that node. We learned about the requirements and examples of how to use this function. By following the requirements and examples, we can successfully delete a node in the middle of a linked list in Python.

Deleting Middle Node in Python Linked List