Merge K Sorted Lists
Detailed guide and Python implementation for the 'Merge K Sorted Lists' problem.
1. Concept Overview
The 'Merge K Sorted Lists' problem is a key challenge in the Linked List section.
This implementation focuses on easy-level logic in Python.
We prioritize technical accuracy and code readability in our provided solutions.
2. Real-World Applications
3. Visual Intuition
Visualizing the logic flow for Merge K Sorted Lists.
4. Prerequisites
5. Step-by-Step Thinking
1. Understand the problem
Read the problem statement for Merge K Sorted Lists carefully.
2. Formulate brute force
Draft a simple iterative solution.
3. Identify inefficiency
Look for redundant calculations.
4. Optimize search path
Use hashing or sorting to speed up the process.
5. Final Implementation
Clean up the code for production standards.
Problem Statement
You are given an array of k linked-lists lists, each linked-list is sorted in ascending order.
Merge all the linked-lists into one sorted linked-list and return it.
The linked lists are represented as a list of Python lists. Implement a function mergeKLists(lists: list) -> list that returns the merged sorted list.
- •k == lists.length
- •0 <= k <= 10000
- •0 <= lists[i].length <= 500
- •-10000 <= lists[i][j] <= 10000
- •lists[i] is sorted in ascending order
- •The sum of lists[i].length will not exceed 10000
Examples
[[1,4,5],[1,3,4],[2,6]]
[1,1,2,3,4,4,5,6]
Merging [1,4,5], [1,3,4], and [2,6] gives [1,1,2,3,4,4,5,6].
[]
[]
No lists to merge, so the result is empty.
[[]]
[]
One empty list results in an empty merged list.
Need a Hint?
Edge Cases to Watch
- Empty input structures
- Single element inputs
- Large numerical bounds
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Interview Insights & Variations
Complexity Analysis Breakdown
Why Time: Directly evaluates all possibilities.
Why Space: Uses standard local memory.
Why Time: Optimized paths reduce total operations.
Why Space: May trade memory for speed.
Optimized Solution Python Code
Optimized Solution Python Code
def merge_k_lists_opt(lists):
if not lists: return []
if isinstance(lists[0], list):
nodes_list = [build_linked_list(l) for l in lists if l]
res = merge_k_lists_opt_helper(nodes_list)
return linked_list_to_list(res)
return merge_k_lists_opt_helper(lists)
def merge_k_lists_opt_helper(lists) -> ListNode:
import heapq
heap = []
for i, head in enumerate(lists):
if head:
heapq.heappush(heap, (head.val, i, head))
dummy = ListNode(0)
curr = dummy
while heap:
val, i, node = heapq.heappop(heap)
curr.next = node
curr = curr.next
if node.next:
heapq.heappush(heap, (node.next.val, i, node.next))
return dummy.nextBrute Force Code (Spoiler Guarded)
Brute Force Code (Spoiler Guarded)
def merge_k_lists_brute(lists):
if not lists: return []
if isinstance(lists[0], list):
nodes_list = [build_linked_list(l) for l in lists if l]
res = merge_k_lists_brute_helper(nodes_list)
return linked_list_to_list(res)
return merge_k_lists_brute_helper(lists)
def merge_k_lists_brute_helper(lists) -> ListNode:
vals = []
for l in lists:
curr = l
while curr:
vals.append(curr.val)
curr = curr.next
vals.sort()
dummy = ListNode(0)
curr = dummy
for v in vals:
curr.next = ListNode(v)
curr = curr.next
return dummy.nextAlgorithm Pattern Checklist
When dealing with Linked List data patterns.
Core Prerequisites
Revision Key Notes
Common Mistakes & Pitfalls
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