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

In a doubly linked list, each node is connected to both its successor and predecessor, which is achieved through the Next and Previous properties. The Next property points to the next node in the sequence, allowing traversal in one direction, typically from the head of the list towards the tail. Simultaneously, the Previous property points to the previous node, facilitating traversal in the opposite direction, from the tail back to the head.

This bidirectional linkage is significant because it provides greater flexibility when navigating through the list. It allows for efficient insertion and deletion operations from either end of the list and enables algorithms to traverse the data structure more easily, whether moving forward or backward.

In contrast, singly linked lists only utilize a single Next property, limiting navigation to only one direction, which can complicate certain operations. By incorporating both Next and Previous properties, a doubly linked list enhances accessibility and efficiency in various data operations.