Sort first half ascending and second half descending
Detailed guide and Python implementation for the 'Sort first half ascending and second half descending' problem.
1. Concept Overview
The 'Sort first half ascending and second half descending' problem is a key challenge in the Arrays 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 Sort first half ascending and second half descending.
4. Prerequisites
5. Step-by-Step Thinking
1. Understand the problem
Read the problem statement for Sort first half ascending and second half descending 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
Write a function sort_half(arr) that takes a list of integers and returns a new list where the first half is sorted in ascending order and the second half is sorted in descending order. If the array has odd length, the middle element belongs to the first half. For example, for length 5, the first 3 elements are sorted ascending and the last 2 are sorted descending.
- •1 <= len(arr) <= 10^5
- •-10^9 <= arr[i] <= 10^9
Examples
arr = [5, 2, 8, 1, 4, 7]
[1, 2, 5, 8, 7, 4]
First half [5,2,8] sorted ascending: [1,2,5]. Second half [1,4,7] sorted descending: [8,7,4]. Wait — we split the original array: first 3 elements [5,2,8] sort ascending -> [2,5,8], last 3 [1,4,7] sort descending -> [7,4,1]. Result: [2,5,8,7,4,1].
arr = [3, 1, 2, 5, 4]
[1, 2, 3, 5, 4]
First half (3 elements) [3,1,2] sorted ascending: [1,2,3]. Second half (2 elements) [5,4] sorted descending: [5,4]. Result: [1,2,3,5,4].
arr = [9, 3, 6, 1]
[3, 9, 6, 1]
First half [9,3] ascending: [3,9]. Second half [6,1] descending: [6,1]. Result: [3,9,6,1].
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 sort_half_opt(arr):
n = len(arr)
arr.sort()
# Ascending first half, descending second half
res = arr[:n//2]
for i in range(n - 1, n//2 - 1, -1):
res.append(arr[i])
return resBrute Force Code (Spoiler Guarded)
Brute Force Code (Spoiler Guarded)
def sort_half_brute(arr):
n = len(arr)
arr.sort()
first_half = arr[:n//2]
second_half = arr[n//2:][::-1]
return first_half + second_halfAlgorithm Pattern Checklist
When dealing with Arrays data patterns.
Core Prerequisites
Revision Key Notes
Common Mistakes & Pitfalls
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