Difference between Linear and Non-linear Data Structures
| Factor | Linear Data Structures | Non-linear Data Structures |
| Arrangement of Data Element | data elements are sequentially connected | data elements are hierarchically connected |
| Travers of Data Element | each data element is traversable with a single run. | data elements are present at many levels |
| Examples | Array, Stack, Queue, Link List, etc | Graph, Tree, Map, etc |
| Presence on which Level? | all data elements are present at the same and single level. | data elements are present at multiple levels. |
| uses memory | not very memory friendly and are not utilizing memory efficiently. | very efficiently |
| Time Complexity | increases with an increase in size. | remain with an increase in size. |
| Complexity during Implementation | easier to understand and implement. | difficult to understand and implement |
Important MCQs related to Linear and Non-linear Data Structures
MCQs Question: Which of the following is a Nonlinear data structure?
(A). arrays
(B). stack
(C). queue
(D). Link list
(E). tree
(F). Graph
(G). Tree and Graph
(H). None of these
(i). All of these
Answer: (G). Tree and Graph
Which of the following is a linear data structure?
(A). arrays
(B). stack
(C). queue
(D). array, stack, and queue
(E). Graph
(F). tree
(G). Tree and link list
(H). None of these
(i). All of these
Answer: (D). array, stack, and queue
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions: Is array linear or non-linear data structures?
Answer: Arrays are linear data structures.
Questions: Is Stack linear or non-linear data structures?
Answer: Stack is linear data structures.
Questions: Is Queue linear or non-linear data structures?
Answer: Queues are linear data structures.
Questions: Is the Link list a linear or non-linear data structure?
Answer: Link lists are linear data structures.
Questions: Is tree linear or non-linear data structures?
Answer: A tree is a non-linear data structure.
Questions: Is Graph linear or non-linear data structures?
Answer: Graph is a non-linear data structure.