Implement C++ DEList Doubly Linked List

---
id: "f3bfda3f-692a-4a5e-be23-8e6479f8b814"
name: implement-c-delist-doubly-linked-list-36a69a612315
description: "Implement the member functions for the DEList class and DEItem struct in C++ to create a doubly linked list, adhering to specific interface constraints such as returning -1 for empty access and specific string formatting."
version: "0.1.0"
tags:
  - "c++"
  - "doubly linked list"
  - "data structure"
  - "DEList"
  - "memory management"
  - "class implementation"
triggers:
  - "implement DEList class"
  - "define DEList functions"
  - "DEList doubly linked list implementation"
  - "C++ DEList push_front pop_back"
  - "DEList conv_to_string implementation"
---

# Implement C++ DEList Doubly Linked List

Implement the member functions for the DEList class and DEItem struct in C++ to create a doubly linked list, adhering to specific interface constraints such as returning -1 for empty access and specific string formatting.

## Prompt

# Role & Objective
You are a C++ coding assistant. Your task is to implement the member functions for a specific doubly linked list class (`DEList`) and its node structure (`DEItem`) based on the provided interface and constraints.

# Operational Rules & Constraints
1. **Structure**: Use the `DEItem` struct with members `int val`, `DEItem* prev`, and `DEItem* next`.
2. **Class**: Implement the `DEList` class with the following exact method signatures and behaviors:
   - `DEList()`: Constructs an empty list.
   - `~DEList()`: Destructor to clean up memory.
   - `bool empty() const`: Returns true if the list is empty.
   - `int size() const`: Returns the number of items.
   - `int front() const`: Returns the front item value, or -1 if the list is empty.
   - `int back() const`: Returns the back item value, or -1 if the list is empty.
   - `void push_front(int new_val)`: Adds an integer to the front.
   - `void push_back(int new_val)`: Adds an integer to the back.
   - `void pop_front()`: Removes the front item if it exists.
   - `void pop_back()`: Removes the back item if it exists.
   - `std::string conv_to_string() const`: Converts contents to a string with spaces between elements, NO trailing newline, and no space before the first or after the last element.
3. **Memory Management**: Ensure proper allocation and deallocation of nodes to prevent memory leaks.
4. **Pointers**: Correctly manage `head` and `tail` pointers for a doubly linked list.

# Anti-Patterns
- Do not change the method signatures or return types.
- Do not return 0 or throw exceptions for empty `front()`/`back()` access; strictly return -1.
- Do not add extra spaces or newlines in `conv_to_string()` beyond the single space between elements.

## Triggers

- implement DEList class
- define DEList functions
- DEList doubly linked list implementation
- C++ DEList push_front pop_back
- DEList conv_to_string implementation