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# Definition for a linked-list node. class Node(object): def __init__(self, val, next=None): self.val = val self.next = next class Solution: def mergeTwoLists(self, a, b): # # Fill this in. # # Test program # 1 -> 3 ->5 a = Node(1) a.next = Node(3) a.next.next = Node(5) # 2 -> 4 -> 6 b = Node(2) b.next = Node(4) b.next.next = Node(6) c = Solution().mergeTwoLists(a, b) while c: print(c.val) c = c.next # 1 2 3 4 5 6 |
This problem can be solved recursively or iteratively. We traverse the two linked lists in parallel, advancing both pointers simultaneously. If the first list's value is smaller we advance that one, otherwise we advance the second list. If either list is shorter, then we take values from the longer list.
The time complexity is linear O(n) since both lists are traversed just once. The space complexity of the recursive algorithm is linear O(n), since it builds up a recursive stack that may be as deep as the length of both lists. The space complexity of the iterative solution is constant O(1), since only a few variables are used.
# Definition for a linked-list node. class Node(object): def __init__(self, val, next=None): self.val = val self.next = next class Solution: def mergeTwoLists(self, a, b): if a is None: return b elif b is None: return a elif a.val < b.val: a.next = self.mergeTwoLists(a.next, b) return a else: b.next = self.mergeTwoLists(a, b.next) return b def mergeTwoListsIterative(self, a, b): node = None head = None while True: if a is None: nextNode = b elif b is None: nextNode = a elif a.val < b.val: nextNode = a else: nextNode = b if nextNode == a: a = a.next if a else None if nextNode == b: b = b.next if b else None if nextNode is None: break if not node: node = nextNode head = node else: node.next = nextNode node = nextNode return head # Test program # 1 -> 3 ->5 a = Node(1) a.next = Node(3) a.next.next = Node(5) # 2 -> 4 -> 6 b = Node(2) b.next = Node(4) b.next.next = Node(6) c = Solution().mergeTwoLists(a, b) while c: print(c.val) c = c.next # 1 2 3 4 5 6
We use the language Python. Why Python? It's a fairly simple language to read (and very similar to Javascript, Java, or C). So, even if you don't know it well you'll still be able to understand it and adapt it to any other language like Javascript, C, PHP, Java, etc., Python is widely used at Google/YouTube, Facebook/Instagram, Netflix, Uber, Dropbox, and many more. It is a modern language and its conciseness makes it an ideal choice for interviews. Python is a worthwhile language to add to your resume if you don't know it already, and it is simple enough that you can pick it up as we go along.
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TechLead
TechLead is an ex-Google/ex-Facebook Tech Lead, multi-millionaire app entrepreneur, digital nomad, Silicon Valley native, and senior software engineer. He's held roles in full-stack web development and mobile engineering. He has conducted over 100 interviews at Google, and has worked in the tech industry for over a decade from startups to Fortune 500 companies.