Write a C function that searches a given key ‘x’ in a given singly linked list. The function should return true if x is present in linked list and false otherwise.

   bool search(Node *head, int x)

For example, if the key to be searched is 15 and linked list is 14->21->11->30->10, then function should return false. If key to be searched is 14, then the function should return true.

Iterative Solution

2) Initialize a node pointer, current = head.
3) Do following while current is not NULL
    a) current->key is equal to the key being searched return true.
    b) current = current->next
4) Return false

C Programming:

// Iterative C program to search an element in linked list
#include<stdio.h>
#include<stdlib.h>

/* Link list node */
struct node
{
int key;
struct node* next;
};

/* Given a reference (pointer to pointer) to the head
of a list and an int, push a new node on the front
of the list. */
void push(struct node** head_ref, int new_key)
{
/* allocate node */
struct node* new_node =
(struct node*) malloc(sizeof(struct node));

/* put in the key */
new_node->key = new_key;

/* link the old list off the new node */
new_node->next = (*head_ref);

/* move the head to point to the new node */
(*head_ref) = new_node;
}

/* Checks whether the value x is present in linked list */
bool search(struct node* head, int x)
{
struct node* current = head; // Initialize current
while (current != NULL)
{
if (current->key == x)
return true;
current = current->next;
}
return false;
}

/* Driver program to test count function*/
int main()
{
/* Start with the empty list */
struct node* head = NULL;
int x = 21;

/* Use push() to construct below list
14->21->11->30->10 */
push(&head, 10);
push(&head, 30);
push(&head, 11);
push(&head, 21);
push(&head, 14);

search(head, 21)? printf("Yes") : printf("No");
return 0;
}
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Output:

Yes

Recursive Solution

bool search(head, x)
1) If head is NULL, return false.
2) If head's key is same as x, return true;
2) Else return search(head->next, x)

C Programming:

// Recursive C program to search an element in linked list
#include<stdio.h>
#include<stdlib.h>

/* Link list node */
struct node
{
int key;
struct node* next;
};

/* Given a reference (pointer to pointer) to the head
of a list and an int, push a new node on the front
of the list. */
void push(struct node** head_ref, int new_key)
{
/* allocate node */
struct node* new_node =
(struct node*) malloc(sizeof(struct node));

/* put in the key */
new_node->key = new_key;

/* link the old list off the new node */
new_node->next = (*head_ref);

/* move the head to point to the new node */
(*head_ref) = new_node;
}

/* Checks whether the value x is present in linked list */
bool search(struct node* head, int x)
{
// Base case
if (head == NULL)
return false;

// If key is present in current node, return true
if (head->key == x)
return true;

// Recur for remaining list
return search(head->next, x);
}

/* Driver program to test count function*/
int main()
{
/* Start with the empty list */
struct node* head = NULL;
int x = 21;

/* Use push() to construct below list
14->21->11->30->10 */
push(&head, 10);
push(&head, 30);
push(&head, 11);
push(&head, 21);
push(&head, 14);

search(head, 21)? printf("Yes") : printf("No");
return 0;
}
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Output:

Yes