Method for managing keyboard navigation within a tree control structure user interface component via a linked list

A method, data processing system and computer program product for maintaining/updating managing keyboard navigation using a linked list. In particular, a Dynamic Tree Control Linkage (DTCL) utility creates a doubly linked list with list nodes having assigned values based on a tree control structure UI component. Each list node of the doubly linked list corresponds to a visible tree item of the tree structure UI component. Responding to a keyboard event signal, the DTCL utility finds a current list node corresponding to a first current tree item. The DTCL utility finds a next (i.e. previous or subsequent) list node corresponding to a next tree item. The DTCL utility detects a list node exists. The DTCL utility detects whether the next list node is associated with a null value. When the next list node is associated with a non-null value, the next tree item is identified. The DTCL utility returns an identification of the next tree item representing a second current tree item. The DTCL utility also updates the doubly linked list in response to the expansion/collapsion of the current list item. The DTCL utility avoids the need to number all tree items (both visible and hidden tree items) sequentially by adding list node(s) to or removing list node(s) from the linked list to represent the visible tree items.