Linked list... output problems...

[Xeleos]

I am studying linked list... and my prog should display the first and last inputed data and the no. of times you inputed... the problem is... I can't seem to display the first data no matter what I do... please help...

#include <iostream>
#include <string>

using namespace std;

int operation(int);

struct linkedlist
{

char name[30];
char chose;
string temp;
linkedlist *next;
};//end struct


linkedlist *start;

int main()
{

operation(0);

return 0;
}//end main



int operation(int x)

{


linkedlist *ptr = new linkedlist();

cout << "Please input the name: " << endl;

cin >> ptr->name;

// the nxt line is supposed to store the first data in temp... then be displayed at the end...

while(ptr->temp==NULL)
{
ptr->temp = ptr->name;
}


start = ptr;

start->next = NULL;



cout << "Do you want to enter again? <Y/N>" << endl;
cin >> ptr->chose;
cout << endl << endl;


if(ptr->chose=='y'|| ptr->chose=='Y')
{

x++;
return operation(x++);
}

else
{
cout << ptr->temp << endl;
cout << ptr->name << endl;
cout << x << endl;

}
return 0;
}//end void