Find maximum path in string

Last updated: December 20, 2025

Quick Overview

Given a linked list, find the longest subsequence efficiently using Topological Sort.

Neon
Coding & Algorithms
Machine Learning Engineer
Neon
December 20, 2025
Machine Learning Engineer
Technical Screen
Coding & Algorithms
Medium

21

12

3,548 solved


Given a linked list, find the longest subsequence efficiently using Topological Sort.

Coding interviews at Neon 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
Hash maps and frequency counting
Tree structures and recursion
Data structure selection and trade-offs
Sorting and searching
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 solve this in a single pass?
  • How would you parallelize this solution?
  • Can you optimize the space complexity of your solution?
  • What is the worst-case input for your solution?
Sharpen Your Skills on Codemia

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