💡 Interview Patterns
Master the most common coding interview patterns. Each pattern includes problem examples and links to detailed explanations.
Two Pointers
Easy-MediumTwo pointers traverse data in different directions or speeds
Sliding Window
MediumMaintain a window that slides across the data structure
Binary Search
Easy-MediumDivide search space in half repeatedly
DFS / Backtracking
Medium-HardExplore all possibilities, backtracking when needed
BFS on Trees/Graphs
Easy-MediumLevel-by-level traversal using a queue
Dynamic Programming
Medium-HardOptimize by storing subproblem solutions
Greedy Algorithms
MediumMake locally optimal choices at each step
Heap / Priority Queue
MediumUse heap to efficiently access min/max elements
Trie / Prefix Tree
Medium-HardEfficient string prefix search and storage
🏢 Company-Specific Focus
Google/Meta
Focus on optimal solutions with clean code. Discuss tradeoffs.
Amazon
Focus on scalability and system-level thinking. OOP design matters.
Microsoft
Write test cases first. Show edge case awareness.
Startups
Focus on clean, working code. Pragmatic solutions preferred over theoretical optimality.
🎯 Interview Success Tips
Before the Interview
- • Review top 5 patterns thoroughly
- • Practice on a whiteboard or text editor
- • Know time/space complexity of common algorithms
- • Prepare 2-3 questions to ask interviewers
During the Interview
- • Clarify requirements and edge cases first
- • Think out loud - explain your approach
- • Start with brute force, then optimize
- • Write clean, readable code with proper naming