Floyd's Cycle Detection Algorithm in Python

LeetCode #141 – Linked List Cycle | Python Implementation I implemented Floyd's Cycle Detection Algorithm using two pointers moving at different speeds. The slow pointer advances one node at a time while the fast pointer advances two nodes. If a cycle exists, the fast pointer will eventually lap the slow pointer and they will meet inside the cycle. If the fast pointer reaches None, the list has no cycle. This eliminates the need for extra space like a HashSet to track visited nodes. This pattern is essential in memory leak detection, distributed system deadlock identification, and graph cycle detection in network topology analysis. Key Takeaway: Floyd's algorithm is a classic space optimization — replacing O(n) HashSet storage with O(1) by leveraging pointer speed differential. The mathematical guarantee is that if a cycle exists, the fast pointer must eventually meet the slow pointer regardless of cycle length or entry point. Time: O(n) | Space: O(1) #LeetCode #DataStructures #Python #LinkedList #TwoPointers #FloydAlgorithm #CodingInterview #ProblemSolving #SoftwareEngineering

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