OMG I'm Going Insane (insertion function...help!)

Ok, I've gone through my notes, books, tutorials, etc. I'm still having a problem with this! Can anyone help me!?!?! Here's what I have to do:

Write an insertion function that inserts an element in the nth position in a list, where 0 means the element is placed at the head of the list. If n is larger than the length of the list, insert the element at the tail of the list. The type definition DATA for elements in the list is defined below (code given to me)
typedef struct {
char name[10];
int age;
int weight;
} DATA;
Write a complete program testing your function. You define a sample list. An element to be inserted to the list and n you should read from the standard input.

:confused:

It sounds like you're talking about a simple linked list insertion. It can be done like this:

Code:

---

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

typedef int DATA;

typedef struct List {
    DATA data;
    struct List* next;
} List;

List* insert(List* list, DATA item, int pos)
{
    if (list == NULL)
    {
        list = malloc(sizeof (*list));
        list->data = item;
        list->next = NULL;
    }
    else if (pos == 0)
    {
        List* front = malloc(sizeof (*list));
        front->data = item;
        front->next = list;
        list = front;
    }
    else
    {
        List* iter = list;
        List* save;

        while (iter->next != NULL && --pos > 0)
            iter = iter->next;

        save = iter->next;
        iter->next = malloc(sizeof (*iter));
        iter->next->data = item;
        iter->next->next = save;
    }

    return list;
}

int main(void)
{
    List* list = NULL;
    List* forward;

    /* After insertions: 3->5->6->4->1->2-> */
    list = insert(list, 1, 0);
    list = insert(list, 2, 5);
    list = insert(list, 3, 0);
    list = insert(list, 4, 1);
    list = insert(list, 5, 1);
    list = insert(list, 6, 2);

    while (list)
    {
        forward = list->next;
        printf("%d->", list->data);
        free(list);
        list = forward;
    }
}

---

Note that I didn't do any error checking, you should always check the return value of malloc. But doing so means you also have to devise an error recovery strategy that makes the code longer and hides the concept. ;)

Ok, I understand that a little but what I don't get is where to insert
typedef struct{
char name[10];
int age;
int weight;
}DATA;

Should I insert it near typedef struct List{ ?
Also, am I supposed to make up a text file called DATA in which I put in someone's name, age, and weight? I guess I'm a little confused about what the problem is asking. If someone could point me in the right direction that would help out alot. Thanks! :)