A sentinel node is a specifically designated node used with linked lists and trees as a traversal path terminator. A sentinel node does not hold or reference any data managed by the data structure. Sentinels are used as an alternative over using null as the path terminator in order to get one or more of the following benefits:
- Increased speed of operations
- Reduced algorithmic complexity and code size
- Increased data structure robustness (arguably)
Read more about Sentinel Node: Example
Famous quotes containing the word sentinel:
“The sentinel with his musket beside a man with his umbrella is spectral. There is not sufficient reason for his existence.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)