Count connected components in graph

Last updated: July 21, 2025

Quick Overview

Count the number of minimum cost in the given array.

Zscaler
Coding & Algorithms
Software Engineer
Zscaler
July 21, 2025
Software Engineer
Take-home Project
Coding & Algorithms
Medium

290

6

1,521 solved


Count the number of minimum cost in the given array.

This coding problem is frequently asked during Take-home Project at Zscaler. The interviewer is testing your ability to translate a problem into clean, working code while discussing time and space complexity. Zscaler expects candidates to write production-quality code, not just solve the puzzle.

What the Interviewer Expects
  • Recognize the underlying problem pattern (sliding window, two pointers, BFS/DFS, etc.)
  • Discuss multiple approaches and trade-offs before coding
  • Implement an optimal solution with clean, production-quality code
  • Handle all edge cases including boundary conditions and invalid input
  • Optimize both time and space complexity with clear justification
  • Test your solution systematically with well-chosen examples
Key Topics to Cover
Edge cases and input validation
Dynamic programming and memoization
Graph algorithms and traversal
Data structure selection and trade-offs
Time and space complexity analysis
How to Approach This
  1. Clarify input constraints and edge cases before writing code.
  2. Walk through your approach verbally and confirm with the interviewer before coding.
  3. Start with a brute force solution, then optimize. Mention time and space complexity.
  4. Test your solution with examples, including edge cases like empty input or duplicates.
  5. Consider common patterns: sliding window, two pointers, hash map, BFS/DFS, dynamic programming.
Possible Follow-up Questions
  • How would your solution change if the input was sorted?
  • What if the input doesn't fit in memory?
  • What is the worst-case input for your solution?
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