Shortest Distance to Target String in Circular Array

Day 27 of my #30DayCodeChallenge: The Efficiency of Binary Exponentiation! The Problem: Pow(x, n). Implementing the power function to calculate x". While it sounds simple, the challenge lies in handling large exponents (up to 231 - 1) and negative powers without hitting time limits or overflow. The Logic: This problem is a classic example of Divide and Conquer optimized through Binary Exponentiation (also known as Exponentiation by Squaring): 1. Bitwise Breakdown: Instead of multiplying x by itself n times (O(n)), we decompose n into powers of 2. For example, x13 is x8. x4. x¹. This brings our complexity down to O(log n). 2. The Iterative Jump: In every iteration of the loop, we square the current base (x = x x). If the current bit of n is 1 (checked via n & 1), we multiply our result by the current base. 3. Handling the Edge Cases: * Negative Exponents: If n is negative, we calculate xI" and then take the reciprocal (1/result). Overflow: We use a long for n during calculation to avoid overflow when converting -2, 147, 483, 648 to a positive value. The Calculation: By halving the power at each step, we transform a task that could take 2 billion operations into one that takes just 31. One step closer to mastery. Onward to Day 28! #Java #Algorithms #DataStructures #BinaryExponentiation #ProblemSolving #150DaysOfCode #SoftwareEngineer

💡 Day 59 of LeetCode Problem Solved! 🔧 🌟 674. Longest Continuous Increasing Subsequence 🌟 🔗 Solution Code: https://lnkd.in/gzDVyZwa 🧠 Approach: • Linear Scan: Implemented a single-pass strategy to traverse the array and track the length of the current increasing streak. • Streak Tracking: Checked if each element is strictly greater than its predecessor. If true, extended the streak; otherwise, reset it to 1. Continuously updated the maximum length found. ⚡ Key Learning: • Reinforced the importance of recognizing that not every problem needs nested loops — a single traversal with smart state management is often sufficient. Resetting to 1 (not 0) when the streak breaks is a subtle but crucial detail that reflects real-world subarray thinking. ⏱️ Complexity: • Time: O(N) • Space: O(1) #LeetCode #Java #DSA #ProblemSolving #Consistency #CodingJourney #Algorithms #Arrays

💡 Day 56 of LeetCode Problem Solved! 🔧 🌟 Mirror of an Integer 🌟 🔗 Solution Code: https://lnkd.in/gvaEY4Sw 🧠 Approach: • Digit Extraction & Reversal Extract digits from right to left using modulo (% 10) and rebuild the reversed number dynamically. • Calculate the absolute difference abs(n - reversed) at the end to find the mirror distance. ⚡ Key Learning: • Mastering number manipulation with fundamental math operators (% and /) is a game-changer for processing integers efficiently without relying on space-consuming String conversions. ⏱️ Complexity: • Time: O(log₁₀(n)) (proportional to the number of digits)  • Space: O(1) #LeetCode #Java #DSA #ProblemSolving #Consistency #100DaysOfCode #CodingJourney #MathLogic #DataStructures

🚀 Day 571 of #750DaysOfCode 🚀 🔍 Problem Solved: Sum of Distances Today’s problem looked like a classic brute-force trap 👀 At first glance, comparing every pair gives an O(n²) solution — but with constraints up to 10⁵, that’s not going to work. 💡 Key Insight: Instead of comparing all pairs, we can: 👉 Group indices of the same value 👉 Use prefix sums to efficiently calculate distances 🧠 Approach: Group indices by value (using HashMap) For each group: Build prefix sum of indices For each index: Left contribution → i * count - sum Right contribution → sum - i * count Combine both to get final result 📈 Complexity: Time: O(n) Space: O(n) ✨ Takeaway: When you see distance-based problems: 👉 Think in terms of contributions instead of pair comparisons 👉 Prefix sums can turn expensive computations into linear time Another strong pattern added to the toolkit 💪 #LeetCode #DSA #Java #CodingJourney #ProblemSolving #PrefixSum #Algorithms #LearningEveryday

Day 12 of #100DaysOfCode — Sliding Window Today, I worked on the problem “Max Consecutive Ones III” LeetCode. Problem Summary Given a binary array, the goal is to find the maximum number of consecutive 1s if you can flip at most k zeros. Approach At first glance, this problem looks like a brute-force or restart-based problem, but the optimal solution lies in the Sliding Window technique. The key idea is to maintain a window [i, j] such that: The number of zeros in the window does not exceed k Expand the window by moving j Shrink the window by moving i whenever the constraint is violated Instead of restarting the window when the condition breaks, we dynamically adjust it. Key Logic Traverse the array using pointer j Count the number of zeros in the current window If zeros exceed k, move pointer i forward until the window becomes valid again At every step, update the maximum window size Why This Works This approach ensures: Each element is processed at most twice Time Complexity: O(n) Space Complexity: O(1) The most important learning here is understanding how to dynamically adjust the window instead of resetting it, which is a common mistake while applying sliding window techniques. In sliding window problems, always focus on expanding and shrinking the window efficiently rather than restarting the computation. #100DaysOfCode #DSA #SlidingWindow #LeetCode #Java #ProblemSolving #CodingJourney #DataStructures #Algorithms

Day 23 of my #30DayCodeChallenge: The Art of Pruning! The Problem: Permutations II. Generating all unique permutations of a collection that contains duplicates. The challenge isn't just finding the arrangements, but ensuring we don't repeat work or results. The Logic: This problem is a deep dive into Backtracking with a strategic Pruning layer: 1. The Frequency/State Tracking: Since we have duplicate numbers, we can't just rely on the values themselves. I used a vis [] (visited) boolean array to keep track of which specific index in the array is currently being used in our recursion tree. 2. Sorting for Symmetry Breaking: Before starting the recursion, sorting the array is the secret sauce. By grouping identical numbers together, we can easily identify when we are about to make a "dur"-ate choice." 3. Backtracking: Standard push, recurse, and pop. We explore every valid path, then "undo" our choice by setting vis [j] = false to backtrack and try the next possibility. One step closer to mastery. The logic is getting sharper! Onward to Day 24! #Java #Algorithms #DataStructures #Backtracking #LeetCode #150DaysOfCode #SoftwareEngineering

🚀 Day 567 of #750DaysOfCode 🚀 🔍 Problem Solved: Maximum Distance Between a Pair of Values Today’s challenge was about finding the maximum distance (j - i) such that: ✔️ i ≤ j ✔️ nums1[i] ≤ nums2[j] ✔️ Both arrays are non-increasing 💡 Key Insight: Since both arrays are sorted in descending order, we can avoid brute force and use a Two Pointer approach to achieve optimal performance. 🧠 Approach: Initialize two pointers i and j at 0 If nums1[i] ≤ nums2[j] → valid pair → update distance & move j Else → move i forward Maintain j ≥ i at all times 📊 Complexity: Time: O(n + m) Space: O(1) 🔥 Takeaway: Whenever arrays are sorted, always think of two pointers or binary search before jumping to brute force. This simple shift can reduce complexity from O(n²) → O(n)! #Day567 #750DaysOfCode #LeetCode #Java #DataStructures #Algorithms #TwoPointers #CodingJourney #ProblemSolving

Day 89: Lane-Based Swapping 🏎️ Problem 2840: Check if Strings Can be Made Equal With Operations II Yesterday’s problem was a fixed-length vibe check; today, the constraints opened up. The mission: can we sync two strings of any length by swapping characters at any even-to-even or odd-to-odd indices? The Logic: • Two Separate Lanes: Characters at even indices can never move to odd positions. They live in two parallel universes. • Frequency over Simulation: Instead of actually swapping, I just checked if the "pool" of characters in each lane matched between both strings. • The Check: If the count of 'a'-'z' at all even positions in s1 matches s2, and the same holds for odd positions, any arrangement is reachable. It’s a classic case of seeing past the "swapping" distraction and realizing it’s just a frequency distribution problem. One more day down, logic still sharp. 🚀 #LeetCode #Java #Algorithms #DataStructures #DailyCode

🚀 Day 572 of #750DaysOfCode 🚀 🔍 Problem Solved: Furthest Point From Origin Today’s problem was a great example of how a simple-looking question can be solved with the right observation 👀 💡 Key Insight: We don’t need to simulate every possible movement. Instead, we just count: 'L' → moves left 'R' → moves right '_' → flexible (can be either) 👉 To maximize distance from origin, use all '_' in the direction that increases the difference the most. 🧠 Approach: Count number of 'L', 'R', and '_' Net position = R - L Add all '_' to maximize distance 👉 Final Answer = |R - L| + '_' 📈 Complexity: Time: O(n) Space: O(1) ✨ Takeaway: Sometimes, instead of exploring all possibilities, you just need to convert the problem into counts and math. Simple logic → powerful result 💪 #LeetCode #DSA #Java #CodingJourney #ProblemSolving #Algorithms #LearningEveryday

🚀 Solved LeetCode 2515 – Shortest Distance to Target String in a Circular Array Today I tackled an interesting problem that highlights the importance of handling circular data structures efficiently. 🔍 Problem Insight: Given a circular array of words, a target string, and a starting index, the goal is to find the minimum number of steps required to reach the target by moving either left or right. 💡 Key Learnings: Circular arrays require thinking beyond linear traversal Always consider both directions (forward & backward) Optimizing distance using min(distance, n - distance) is the key trick Simple logic + correct observation = optimal solution ⚙️ Approach Used: Traverse the array to find all occurrences of the target Calculate distance from the starting index Take the minimum considering circular movement 📈 Complexity: Efficient O(n) solution with constant space 🔥 Takeaway: This problem reinforced how small tweaks (like circular behavior) can change the entire approach. A great example of combining logic + observation for clean and optimal solutions. #LeetCode #Algorithms #ProblemSolving #CodingJourney #Java #DataStructures #CompetitiveProgramming