Find connected components in linked list
Last updated: August 5, 2025
Quick Overview
Given a singly linked list, write a function to identify and return all connected components, where a connected component is defined as a subset of nodes that are part of the same group of consecutive integers. The function should take the head of the linked list and a set of integers as input and output a list of lists, where each inner list contains the nodes that form a connected component.
PayPal
August 5, 20257
12
3,762 solved
Given a singly linked list, write a function to identify and return all connected components, where a connected component is defined as a subset of nodes that are part of the same group of consecutive integers. The function should take the head of the linked list and a set of integers as input and output a list of lists, where each inner list contains the nodes that form a connected component.
Coding interviews at PayPal 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
- 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
How to Approach This
- Clarify input constraints and edge cases before writing code.
- Walk through your approach verbally and confirm with the interviewer before coding.
- Start with a brute force solution, then optimize. Mention time and space complexity.
- Test your solution with examples, including edge cases like empty input or duplicates.
- Consider common patterns: sliding window, two pointers, hash map, BFS/DFS, dynamic programming.
Possible Follow-up Questions
- What happens if the input contains duplicates?
- What is the worst-case input for your solution?
- Can you solve this in a single pass?
Sharpen Your Skills on Codemia
Practice similar problems with our interactive workspace, get AI feedback, and track your progress.
Practice DSA ProblemsSample Answer
Problem Analysis
To solve the problem of finding connected components in a linked list based on a set of integers, we can recognize that this problem has a pattern similar to a traversal with a focus on grouping eleme...
Approach
- Create a hash set from the input list of integers for O(1) average-time complexity lookups.
- Initialize an empty list to store the connected components.
- Traverse the linked list with a pointer...
Submit Your Answer
