n linked list implementation of a queue, front and rear pointers are tracked. Which of these pointers will change during an insertion into EMPTY queue

Understanding the Queue Implementation with Linked Lists

In a linked list implementation of a queue, we maintain two pointers: front and rear. The front pointer refers to the first element of the queue, while the rear pointer points to the last element. When the queue is empty, both pointers are typically set to NULL.

Inserts in an Empty Queue

1. When Inserting into an Empty Queue:

   • The first element being added to an empty queue requires special handling.
   • Since there were no elements in the queue, both the front and rear pointers must now reference this newly added node.

2. Pointers Changes:

   • Front Pointer: It will change to point to the newly inserted node.
   • Rear Pointer: It will also change to point to the same newly inserted node since it's now both the first and last element in the queue.

Conclusion

In summary, during an insertion into an empty queue, both the front and rear pointers will change to the newly inserted node. This is crucial because it ensures that the queue maintains proper references for future operations such as additional insertions and deletions.