Listing 5

/* --------------------------------------------------------------

FUNCTION GET_FREE_NODE: The steps to get a node from the free node
       list are:

A.  If the free node list is empty, get memory for a new node and
    return its address.

B.  Else remove the first node from the free list and use that.

------------------------------------------------------------- */

Node *get_free_node(void)
{
       const Node *pnew_node;

/*A*/   if (pfree_node == NULL) {
              pnew_node = malloc(sizeof(Node));
       }
/*B*/   else {
              pnew_node = pfree_node;
              pfree_node = pfree_node->pfwd;
       }

       return pnew_node;
}

/* ----------------------------------------------------------- */

/* End of File */