Count shortest distance in graph

Last updated: March 20, 2026

Quick Overview

Count the number of shortest distance in the given string.

ServiceNow
Coding & Algorithms
Software Engineer
ServiceNow
March 20, 2026
Software Engineer
Technical Screen
Coding & Algorithms
Easy

132

6

3,123 solved


Count the number of shortest distance in the given string.

Coding interviews at ServiceNow focus on problem-solving approach as much as the final solution. The interviewer wants to see you break down the problem, consider edge cases, and optimize iteratively. Communication throughout the process is key.

What the Interviewer Expects
  • Identify the correct data structure and algorithm for the problem
  • Write clean, bug-free code with proper variable naming
  • Analyze time and space complexity correctly
  • Handle basic edge cases (empty input, single element)
  • Communicate your thought process while coding
Key Topics to Cover
Binary search and divide and conquer
Edge cases and input validation
Sorting and searching
Common algorithm patterns (sliding window, two pointers, BFS/DFS)
Tree structures and recursion
Data structure selection and trade-offs
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
  • Can you optimize the space complexity of your solution?
  • How would you parallelize this solution?
  • Can you solve this iteratively instead of recursively (or vice versa)?
  • How would you modify your solution to handle streaming input?
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