Question

Im new to C. Say if

struct test{
   int val;
   struct test *next
};

If a list has been created using this struct, how do you find the maximum value via pointers?

Assuming list is filled with objects of the above struct, I have tried

struct test *t1 = malloc(sizeof (struct test));
struct test *t2 = malloc(sizeof (struct test));
While (list !=NULL){
  int max=0;
  struct test *t1, *t2;
  if(t1->val < t2->val){
     max = t2->val;             
  }
 list = list->next;
}

But I guess I dont understand the logic behind it. I just need an explanation or an example on how to find the maximum value of a list of structs using pointers. Your help will be appreciated.

Answer 1

This may help you out understanding (I guess)

snippet:

max = t1->val; /* take first value */
/* this is one way of traveling through the simple (?) list */
for(pointer = t1->next; pointer; pointer = pointer->next)
     max = pointer->val > max ? pointer->val : max;

printf("max: %d\n", max);

EDIT: assuming t1 refers to a populated list.