• Extract keywords (Input constrains, Data types, Scale of input)
• Classify the Problem
  • What are the algorithms commonly used on this kind of problems?
• Paraphrase the question
• Understand test cases / Ask for more test cases
  • Function Signature
• Clarifications / Edge Cases
• Trade Off Analysis

  • Brute Force Solution

    • Outline your approach

    • Space & Time Complexity *& ***(call stack) - specify variables

      (In what situations is the solution good? In what situations is the solution bad?)

    • Analyze Inefficiency

      Bottlenecks, Unnecessary Word, Duplication Work

  • Optimal Solution

    • Outline your approach
    • Space & Time Complexity *& ***(call stack) - specify variables
    • Compare it with Brute Force
    • Ask interviewer: "Does this sound like a good approach?"
• Implementation, keep comparing optimal solution and brute force solution, explain why this solution is better to show your understanding
• Verification
  • Scan through
  • Run test cases - small/medium sized, one more likely to detect errors