DATA STRUCTURES PROGRAM • SINGLY LINKED LISTS
Find the Nth Node from the End
Learn how to find the nth node from the end using a clear C program.
PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING
Input and expected output
Sample input
No input required
Sample output
2nd from end = 40
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; }
}
int main(void)
{
struct Node *head = NULL;
for (int value = 10; value <= 50; value += 10) append(&head, value);
size_t n = 2;
const struct Node *lead = head, *follow = head;
for (size_t step = 0; step < n && lead != NULL; step++) lead = lead->next;
while (lead != NULL) { lead = lead->next; follow = follow->next; }
printf("2nd from end = %d\n", follow->data);
free_list(head);
return 0;
}CURRENT STEP
SELECTED LINE
EXPECTED OUTPUT FOR THE SAMPLE
2nd from end = 40
Step 0 of 0
PROGRAM EXPLANATION
Algorithm and explanation
- Read the required input values.
- Maintain a fixed gap of n nodes between two pointers.
- Display the computed result.
Maintain a fixed gap of n nodes between two pointers.
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.
