cycle detection
Applied AI interview questions tagged cycle detection, across every topic.
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Concepts behind "cycle detection"
The curriculum that explains the ideas these questions test.
Foundational
Linked Lists: Dummy Head, Fast/Slow Pointers, ReversalThe three patterns interviews actually test: the dummy head that removes edge cases, fast/slow pointers for cycles and midpoints, and in-place reversal.💻 Coding & Engineering Craft
Foundational
Fast and Slow Pointers (Floyd's Cycle Detection)Fast and slow pointers run two cursors through a sequence at different speeds so geometry, not extra memory, reveals structure. The tortoise and hare detect a cycle, locate where it begins, and find the middle of a list in a single pass with O(1) extra space. Interviews probe this because it tests whether a candidate can trade a hash set for a pointer trick and prove the meeting actually happens.💻 Coding & Engineering Craft
Core
Topological Sort and DAGsA topological sort orders the nodes of a directed acyclic graph so that every edge points forward, which is exactly what dependency resolution needs. Kahn's algorithm peels off zero-indegree nodes while DFS post-order reverses the finish times, and both detect cycles for free when no valid order exists. Applied-AI interviews probe it because build systems, data pipelines, and task schedulers are dependency graphs, and the course-schedule question is its canonical disguise.💻 Coding & Engineering CraftSign in