Which operation in a linked list is used to remove an existing element?

The operation used to remove an existing element from a linked list is best described by the term "Delete." This term specifically indicates the action of removing a node from a data structure, including linked lists. When you delete a node, you not only remove it from the list, but you also need to ensure that the pointers in the list are updated accordingly, so that there are no dangling references left behind that could lead to memory leaks or access violations.

The concept of deleting in this context involves navigating through the linked list to locate the node that needs to be removed and then altering the pointers of the surrounding nodes to exclude the deleted node. This is a fundamental operation in managing linked lists, making it crucial for various algorithms and data manipulations.

In contrast, the other terms such as "Remove," "Extract," and "Discard" may carry similar connotations in everyday language, but they are not standard terminology used in the context of linked list operations. "Remove" is generally more vague and does not imply the same technical specificity as "Delete." "Extract" often refers to retrieving or obtaining data rather than removing it, while "Discard" typically suggests eliminating something in a more general sense rather than addressing a specific structural change in a linked list.