Doubly Linked Lists and the Abstract Data Type

This last group has only one function in that it returns version information, so a program can determine if it is linking to a different version and check for any incompatibilities.

char *DLL_Version(void);

The short answer is it is used for just about any type of data storage where you don't know how much data is to be stored. One example that I've been working with is 3D graphics data where there could be an unknown number of objects in a scene. I've written bar code scanning software that uses this DLL to keep track of all the hand-held terminals that are in use. I also worked on a database conversion program that reads data into one linked list, allowing you to edit it; it then converts the data to another linked list and writes it out again.

I'll mainly concentrate on compiling the Linux version; however, there are two Makefiles for DOS: one that compiles using the DJGPP GNU compiler and the other for the MS6.0 compiler. All three Makefiles are included in the distribution. If anyone is interested, there is also a slightly modified version of the DLL that compiles on Big Blues 4690 OS (FlexOS) using the Metaware C compiler (this OS is used in point-of-sale systems).

First, we need to use tar to extract the files into the directory where you want it to reside.

tar -xvzf linklist.1.0.0.tar.gz -C /your/path

The tar file will create a directory named linklist and put everything in it. Next, use cd to move to the linklist directory and type one of the following, assuming you're using the GNU compiler:

make

make static

To install the library in the /usr/local/lib directory, enter either make install or make install-static.

That's all there is to it. You're now ready to write some code.

The concept of the ADT is at the core of object-oriented programming and, as mentioned previously, central to cross- platform development. My linked list example should be of use as either a practical or a learning tool.