Network Delay Time
Detailed guide and Python implementation for the 'Network Delay Time' problem.
1. Concept Overview
The 'Network Delay Time' problem is a key challenge in the Advanced Graphs 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 Network Delay Time.
4. Prerequisites
5. Step-by-Step Thinking
1. Understand the problem
Read the problem statement for Network Delay Time 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 a network of n nodes, labeled from 1 to n. You are also given times, a list of travel times as directed edges times[i] = [ui, vi, wi], where ui is the source node, vi is the target node, and wi is the time it takes for a signal to travel from source to target.
We will send a signal from a given node k. Return the minimum time it takes for all the n nodes to receive the signal. If it is impossible for all the n nodes to receive the signal, return -1.
Write a function networkDelayTime(times: List[List[int]], n: int, k: int) -> int.
- •1 <= k <= n <= 100
- •1 <= len(times) <= 6000
- •times[i].length == 3
- •1 <= ui, vi <= n
- •ui != vi
- •0 <= wi <= 100
- •All the pairs (ui, vi) are unique
Examples
times = [[2,1,1],[2,3,1],[3,4,1]], n = 4, k = 2
2
The signal starts at node 2. It reaches 1 and 3 in 1 unit of time, and 4 in 2 units of time.
times = [[1,2,1]], n = 2, k = 1
1
Signal reaches node 2 from node 1 in 1 unit of time.
times = [[1,2,1]], n = 2, k = 2
-1
Signal starts at node 2, but there is no path from node 2 to node 1. So node 1 never receives it.
Need a Hint?
Edge Cases to Watch
- Empty input structures
- Single element inputs
- Large numerical bounds
Ready to Solve?
Open the problem in PyRun's browser-based Python editor. Your code runs fully offline — no server required.
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 network_delay_time_opt(times, n, k):
return network_delay_time_brute(times, n, k)Brute Force Code (Spoiler Guarded)
Brute Force Code (Spoiler Guarded)
import heapq, collections
def network_delay_time_brute(times, n, k):
edges = collections.defaultdict(list)
for u, v, w in times: edges[u].append((v, w))
min_heap = [(0, k)]
visit = {}
while min_heap:
w1, n1 = heapq.heappop(min_heap)
if n1 in visit: continue
visit[n1] = w1
for n2, w2 in edges[n1]:
if n2 not in visit: heapq.heappush(min_heap, (w1 + w2, n2))
return max(visit.values()) if len(visit) == n else -1Algorithm Pattern Checklist
When dealing with Advanced Graphs data patterns.
Core Prerequisites
Revision Key Notes
Common Mistakes & Pitfalls
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