Thread: Linked list Schminked list help with Nodes Please

In my CS class we just started working with linked lists. The book goes into PAINFUL EXCRUCIATING LONG WINDED VOLUMINOUS detail about what a linked list is (which all could be summarized in a few sentences), spits out a couple code snippets and expects me to put it together. I'm having a really difficult time with it.

I can't even create a node. From my main I created an instance of the following, and everything is fine until I try I get to tom.next = dick.

I'm just missing something, it keeps saying type expected. Any Linked List guidance would be greatlyu appreciated.

import java.util.*;
 
public class SingleLinkedList<E>
{
 
    Node<String> tom = new Node<String>("Tom");
    Node<String> dick = new Node<String>("Dick");
    Node<String> harry = new Node<String>("Harry");
 
    tom.next = dick;       //This is throwing up
    dick.next = harry;     //and this line as well
 
 
 
    private static class Node<E>
          {
 
              //Data Fields
              //Reference to the data
              private E data;
 
              //Reference to the next node
              private Node<E> next;
 
              //Constructors
              //Creates new node with a null next field
              private Node(E dataItem)
              {
                  data = dataItem;
                  next = null;
              }
 
              //Creats a new node that references another node
              private Node(E dataItem, Node<E> nodeRef)
              {
                  data = dataItem;
                  next = nodeRef;
              }                
       }
}

/This is throwing up

What is the error message you get? Please copy and paste here the full text.

Instead of trying to directly access a class variable, you should have a setNext method you call to make the change.