October 21, 2024

Share:

Oct 21, 2024

Ownership is important. Start your own blog! https://twitter.com/twitter/status/1848261668024807887/

~ updated at: 2024-10-21T12:30:03.083Z


Notes from leetcode’s editorial section on solving data structures and algorithm problems in general.

After solving a leetcode problem, found myself checking out an editorial section to see what other approaches I could’ve missed. What I found was unexpected.

A guide to identifying patterns and choosing approaches. This is something I could’ve used when I was a couple of years younger just starting out.

So this time before diving into the answer, let’s understand a few general patterns that you can use in your future journey:

Sorted Input:

Apply binary search for efficient element lookup. Use the two-pointer technique for problems involving pairs or segments. Unsorted Input:

Apply dynamic programming for questions related to counting ways or optimizing values. Use backtracking for problems that ask for all possibilities or combinations (this is also a suitable fallback if dynamic programming isn’t going to work). Use a Trie for prefix matching and string-building scenarios. Use a hash map or set to find specific elements quickly. Implement a monotonic stack or sliding window technique for managing elements while continuously finding maximum or minimum values. Input is a Graph or Tree:

Use DFS to explore all paths or when the question does not require finding the shortest path. Use BFS when the question asks for the shortest path or fewest steps. For binary trees, use DFS if the problem involves exploring specific depths or levels. Linked List Input:

Use techniques involving slow and fast pointers or “prev” and “dummy” pointers to facilitate certain operations if you are unsure how to achieve a specific outcome.

Note: There’s so much more to this pattern! We just wanted to give you a glimpse of what pattern recognition boils down to in its simplest form. Feel free to add your own flair and create a detailed chart!

Here’s a useful mindmap of techniques to use per problem type

~ updated at: 2024-10-21T03:50:20.239Z


Find more posts from following topics

1
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
2
20
2024
21
22
23
24
26
27
28
29
3
30
4
5
6
8
@binding
abbacchio
accurate-requests
anime
api-development
api-testing
api-testing-tools
array
automated-testing
bad-habits
base64-decoder
base64-encoder
biography
blog
blogging
books
browser
bulma-css
bulma.io
bulmacss
button-swiftui
chatgpt
chrome
clipboard
code
code-block
code-navigation
code-snippet
codecoverage
comparison
compile
computer-networks
configuring-debugger-for-django-in-vs-code
configuring-launch.json-for-python-debugger
copy
copy-to-clipboard
copy-to-clipboard-neovim
css
current-date
current-time
current-timestamp
database
debugger-setup-in-visual-studio-code
debugging-django-app-in-visual-studio-code
debugging-python-code-in-visual-studio-code
debugging-python-programs-with-visual-studio-code
debugging-python-with-virtual-environment-in-vs-code
december
developer-productivity
developers
development-workflow
django
django-rest-framework
dom
dynamic-sitemap-in-nextjs
encryption
engineering-dashboard
enumerate
experience
fiction
flowcharts
generics
git
git-diff
github
global-keyboard-shorcut
global-shortcut
go-hugo
go-programming
go-test
go-to-line
go-tool
go1.18
golang
golang-development
golden-wind
good-habits
gorilla-websocket
gpt
gpt-3.5
gpt-4
gpt-4-api
guide
gumroad
habits
habits-tracker-notion-template
hamburger-menu
hotkeys
html
hugo
ide
image
image-sharing
image-tool-for-ios
imagerenderer
include-timestamp
integrated-development-environment
ios
ios-16
ios16
iphone
iphone-13
iphone-13-pro
iphone-13-pro-max
javascript
jojos-bizzarre-adventure
jump-to-definition
keyboard-shortcut
leonardo-da-vinci
lessons
linux
logging
ls
lsp
macos
map
markdown
markdown-code
mental-programming
menu
menubarextra
mergesort
mermaid-syntax
mistake-tracker-notion
mobile-view
modifier
modulo-operation
navbar
navigationlink
navigationstack
neovim
nested-functions
next.js
nextjs
nextjs-markdown
nextjs-sitemap
nextjs-sitemaps
nice-shot
nice-shot-pro
notion
notion-api
notion-api-python
notion-budget
notion-budget-template
notion-budget-tracker
notion-bug-report-tracker
notion-dashboard
notion-expense-manager
notion-habits
notion-habits-dashboard
notion-habits-template
notion-habits-tracker
notion-habits-tracker-template
notion-issue-tracker
notion-mistake-tracker
notion-product
notion-product-dashboard
notion-product-roadmap
notion-product-roadmap-dashboard
notion-tasks
notion-tasks-dashboard
notion-tasks-template
notion-tasks-tracker
notion-template
notionworkspaces
november
october
openai
osx
pagination
personal-ifttt-framework
photospicker
photospickeritem
phpickerfilter
postgres
postman-capabilities
postman-request
pre-request-script
product-roadmap-notion-template
product-roadmap-template
productivity
programming
python
python-api
python-debugger-tutorial-for-vs-code
python-debugging-mode-in-vs-code
python-notion-api
python3
reading
real-time-communication
rehype
remark
request-data
running-debugger-in-visual-studio-code
running-django-app-in-debugging-mode
running-program-in-debugging-mode-in-vs-code
running-python-code-in-debugging-mode
safari
screenshot-app-for-ios
screenshot-app-ios
screenshot-ios
screenshot-tool-for-ios
september
set-current-timestamp
setting-up-debugger-in-vs-code-for-python
share-extension
sharelink
sharepreview
sharesheet
simple-websocket-server
sitemap
slice
slices
slider
sort
sorting
space-complexity
sql
ssh
step-by-step-guide
stocks-profits-tracker
stocks-profits-tracker-template
stocks-tracker
struct
sustained-vigilance
swift
swiftui
swiftui-button
swiftui-button-action
swiftui-button-style
table-of-contents
tasks-tracker-notion-template
tcp
test
testing
textfield-swiftui
til
tim-sort
time-complexity
timeliness
timestamp-integration
timsort
transferable
triggers-and-actions
tutorial
unittest
unix
us-stocks
usa-stocks
useful-ios-features
using-breakpoints-in-python-debugger
using-virtual-environment-with-python-debugger
vanilla-javascript
variable
vim
visual-mode
visual-studio-code
vs-code
vscode
vscode-go-to-line
walter-isaacson
web-sockets-in-go
websocket-client
websocket-programming
websocket-server
white-screen-of-death
wsod
xcode
xss