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Computer Science Introduction to Data Structures Merge Sort and Linked Lists The Conquer Step

Posted by JASON LEE
JASON LEE
17,352 Points

@11:50 DRY principle in replacing merged head to next node head ?

@ 11:50 Pasan writes the following code:

   # Discard fake head and set first merged node as head
   head = merged.head.next_node
   merged.head = head

But can't it be simplified to the following? 

   # Discard fake head and set first merged node as head
   merged.head = merged.head.next_node

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,268 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,268 Points

You can save a line (and a variable) this way, but having the same term on both sides of an assignment might not be as clear as doing it in two steps.

Either way, the "DRY" principle doesn't apply here, since nothing is being repeated.