Transform matrix to adjacency list

Last updated: September 1, 2025

Quick Overview

Given a matrix representation of a graph, transform it into an adjacency list format. The input will be a 2D array where each element indicates the presence of an edge between nodes, and the output should be a list of lists where each sublist contains the neighbors of the corresponding node. Ensure that the adjacency list accurately reflects the connections defined by the matrix.

Morgan Stanley
Coding & Algorithms
Software Engineer
Morgan Stanley
September 1, 2025
Software Engineer
Take-home Project
Coding & Algorithms
Medium

12

5

3,530 solved


Given a matrix representation of a graph, transform it into an adjacency list format. The input will be a 2D array where each element indicates the presence of an edge between nodes, and the output should be a list of lists where each sublist contains the neighbors of the corresponding node. Ensure that the adjacency list accurately reflects the connections defined by the matrix.

Coding interviews at Morgan Stanley 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
Binary search and divide and conquer
Graph algorithms and traversal
Tree structures and recursion
Sorting and searching
Dynamic programming and memoization
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
  • What is the worst-case input for your solution?
  • How would you parallelize this solution?
  • What if the input doesn't fit in memory?
Sharpen Your Skills on Codemia

Practice similar problems with our interactive workspace, get AI feedback, and track your progress.

Practice DSA Problems
Sample Answer
Problem Analysis

The problem at hand is to convert a matrix representation of a graph into an adjacency list format. This falls under the category of graph algorithms, specifically focusing on the representation of a ...

Approach
  1. Initialize an empty list called adjacency_list which will hold the sublists for each node.
  2. Iterate through each row (i.e., node) in the input matrix:
    • For each row, create an empty sublist...

Submit Your Answer
Markdown supported

Related Questions