DATA STRUCTURES PROGRAM • SINGLY LINKED LISTS
Delete the Last Node of a Singly Linked List
Learn how to delete the last node of a singly linked list using a clear C program.
PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING
Input and expected output
Sample input
No input required
Sample output
10 20
COMPLETE C PROGRAM
Complete C implementation
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
struct Node { int data; struct Node *next; };
struct Node *create_node(int value)
{
struct Node *node = malloc(sizeof *node);
if (node == NULL) { perror("malloc"); exit(EXIT_FAILURE); }
node->data = value;
node->next = NULL;
return node;
}
void append(struct Node **head, int value)
{
struct Node *node = create_node(value);
if (*head == NULL) { *head = node; return; }
struct Node *current = *head;
while (current->next != NULL) current = current->next;
current->next = node;
}
void print_list(const struct Node *head)
{
while (head != NULL) { printf("%d ", head->data); head = head->next; }
putchar('\n');
}
void free_list(struct Node *head)
{
while (head != NULL) { struct Node *next = head->next; free(head); head = next; }
}
void delete_last(struct Node **head)
{
if (*head == NULL) return;
if ((*head)->next == NULL) { free(*head); *head = NULL; return; }
struct Node *current = *head;
while (current->next->next != NULL) current = current->next;
free(current->next);
current->next = NULL;
}
int main(void)
{
struct Node *head = NULL;
append(&head, 10); append(&head, 20); append(&head, 30);
delete_last(&head);
print_list(head);
free_list(head);
return 0;
}CURRENT STEP
SELECTED LINE
EXPECTED OUTPUT FOR THE SAMPLE
10 20
Step 0 of 0
PROGRAM EXPLANATION
Algorithm and explanation
- Read the required input values.
- Stop at the second-last node, free its successor and set next to NULL.
- Display the computed result.
Stop at the second-last node, free its successor and set next to NULL.
EFFICIENCY
Time and space complexity
Time complexity
O(n)
Auxiliary space
O(n)
DEBUGGING CHECKLIST
Common mistakes
Check this
Use the correct format specifier for every variable.
Check this
Initialize variables before using their values.
Check this
Check braces, semicolons and input order carefully.
Try it yourself
Practice: Run the program with the sample input, predict its output, and then test one boundary case of your own.
