Merge K Sorted binary trees

Last updated: March 22, 2026

Quick Overview

Given k sorted strings, merge them into a single sorted result.

Adobe
Coding & Algorithms
Machine Learning Engineer
Adobe
March 22, 2026
Machine Learning Engineer
Technical Screen
Coding & Algorithms
Medium

11

6

2,756 solved


Given k sorted strings, merge them into a single sorted result.

Adobe uses this problem in the Technical Screen to evaluate your algorithmic thinking. They expect you to discuss multiple approaches, analyze trade-offs between them, and implement the optimal solution with clean, readable code.

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
Data structure selection and trade-offs
Binary search and divide and conquer
Common algorithm patterns (sliding window, two pointers, BFS/DFS)
Sorting and searching
Time and space complexity analysis
Hash maps and frequency counting
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?
  • How would you modify your solution to handle streaming input?
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