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

Andrew Whatmore
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Andrew Whatmore
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Student 13,323 Points
Posted by Andrew Whatmore
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Andrew Whatmore
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Student 13,323 Points

Checking for an empty list in the split function

At the top of the split() function, there is a check to see if the list is empty. I'm afraid I didn't understand the explanation for the bit that follows:

If the list is empty, 'linked_list' is assigned to 'left_half', while None is assigned to 'right_half'..

If the list is empty, wouldn't assigning the empty list be the same as assigning None anyway?

Could somebody please help me understand the logic. Many thanks.