What is the primary advantage of using a linked list over an array?

The primary advantage of using a linked list over an array is dynamic memory allocation and efficient insertions and deletions. Linked lists are designed to allow for the dynamic allocation of memory, meaning that the size of the linked list can grow or shrink as needed during execution. This flexibility allows programmers to utilize memory more efficiently, particularly when the maximum size of the list is unknown at compile time.

Additionally, linked lists facilitate efficient insertions and deletions. When inserting or removing an element in a linked list, it is often only necessary to adjust a few pointers, which can be done in constant time, O(1), assuming you have a reference to the position where you want to insert or delete. In contrast, arrays require shifting elements to maintain order upon insertion or deletion, leading to O(n) time complexity in the worst case.

The other options do not capture this primary advantage: fixed size allocation does not leverage the dynamic nature of linked lists; faster access times is not true, as linked lists have slower access times compared to arrays due to their sequential structure; and while simplicity in traversal is a characteristic of linked lists, it is not the most significant advantage when compared to dynamic sizing and efficient modifications.