Reorder List
Detailed guide and Python implementation for the 'Reorder List' problem.
1. Concept Overview
The 'Reorder List' 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 Reorder List.
4. Prerequisites
5. Step-by-Step Thinking
1. Understand the problem
Read the problem statement for Reorder List 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 the head of a singly linked list. The list can be represented as:
L0 → L1 → … → Ln-1 → Ln
Reorder the list to be in the following form:
L0 → Ln → L1 → Ln-1 → L2 → Ln-2 → …
You may not modify the values in the list's nodes. Only nodes themselves may be changed.
The linked list is represented as a Python list. Implement a function reorderList(head: list) -> list that returns the reordered list.
- •The number of nodes in the list is in the range [1, 50000]
- •1 <= Node.val <= 1000
Examples
[1,2,3,4]
[1,4,2,3]
The list 1->2->3->4 is reordered to 1->4->2->3.
[1,2,3,4,5]
[1,5,2,4,3]
The list 1->2->3->4->5 is reordered to 1->5->2->4->3.
Need a Hint?
Edge Cases to Watch
- Empty input structures
- Single element inputs
- Large numerical bounds
Ready to Solve?
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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 reorder_list_opt(head):
if isinstance(head, list):
h = build_linked_list(head)
reorder_list_opt_helper(h)
return linked_list_to_list(h)
return reorder_list_opt_helper(head)
def reorder_list_opt_helper(head: ListNode) -> None:
if not head or not head.next:
return
slow, fast = head, head
while fast and fast.next:
slow = slow.next
fast = fast.next.next
prev, curr = None, slow.next
slow.next = None
while curr:
nxt = curr.next
curr.next = prev
prev = curr
curr = nxt
first, second = head, prev
while second:
tmp1, tmp2 = first.next, second.next
first.next = second
second.next = tmp1
first, second = tmp1, tmp2Brute Force Code (Spoiler Guarded)
Brute Force Code (Spoiler Guarded)
def reorder_list_brute(head):
if isinstance(head, list):
h = build_linked_list(head)
reorder_list_brute_helper(h)
return linked_list_to_list(h)
return reorder_list_brute_helper(head)
def reorder_list_brute_helper(head: ListNode) -> None:
if not head or not head.next:
return
nodes = []
curr = head
while curr:
nodes.append(curr)
curr = curr.next
l, r = 0, len(nodes) - 1
while l < r:
nodes[l].next = nodes[r]
l += 1
if l == r:
break
nodes[r].next = nodes[l]
r -= 1
nodes[l].next = NoneAlgorithm Pattern Checklist
When dealing with Linked List data patterns.
Core Prerequisites
Revision Key Notes
Common Mistakes & Pitfalls
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