DATA STRUCTURES PROGRAM • SINGLY LINKED LISTS

Reverse a Singly Linked List Iteratively

Learn how to reverse a singly linked list iteratively using a clear C program.

IntermediateLinked listNodePointers

PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING

Input and expected output

Sample input
No input required
Sample output
30 20 10

COMPLETE C PROGRAM

Complete C implementation

dsa-reverse-singly-list-iterative.c
Open in compiler
#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;
    append(&head, 10); append(&head, 20); append(&head, 30);
    struct Node *previous = NULL, *current = head;
    while (current != NULL) {
        struct Node *next = current->next;
        current->next = previous;
        previous = current;
        current = next;
    }
    head = previous;
    print_list(head);
    free_list(head);
    return 0;
}

GUIDED CODE TOUR • NOT LIVE EXECUTION

Study the program line by line

Use the real compiler button above to run and debug with different inputs.

CURRENT STEP

Select Start to walk through the important lines.

SELECTED LINE

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EXPECTED OUTPUT FOR THE SAMPLE

30 20 10
0%Step 0 of 0

PROGRAM EXPLANATION

Algorithm and explanation

  1. Read the required input values.
  2. Reverse each next pointer while preserving the unprocessed remainder.
  3. Display the computed result.

Reverse each next pointer while preserving the unprocessed remainder.

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.