Enhance DSA cheatsheet with diagrams #1
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…atsheet This commit significantly improves the visual representation and learning experience of the Data Structures and Algorithms cheatsheet by adding extensive mermaid diagrams throughout the documentation. ## Major Changes: ### 1. Big O Notation (big-o-notation.md) - Added complexity growth comparison flowchart - Added complexity decision tree to help determine algorithm complexity - Added growth rate visualization table - Color-coded complexity levels (green=good, red=poor) ### 2. Data Structures #### Arrays (data-structures/arrays.md) - Added array structure visualization with contiguous memory representation - Added array operations flowchart (access, insert, delete, search) - Added step-by-step binary search visualization #### Linked Lists (data-structures/linked-lists.md) - Added singly linked list structure diagram - Added doubly linked list structure diagram - Added circular linked list structure diagram - Added visual step-by-step linked list reversal - Added Floyd's cycle detection algorithm visualization #### Trees (data-structures/trees.md) - Added binary tree structure with color-coded levels - Added BST structure showing left < parent < right property - Added tree traversals visualization (preorder, inorder, postorder, level order) - Added BST operations decision tree (search, insert, delete) #### Graphs (data-structures/graphs.md) - Added undirected graph visualization - Added directed graph (digraph) visualization - Added weighted graph visualization - Added graph traversal comparison (DFS vs BFS) ### 3. Algorithms #### Sorting (algorithms/sorting.md) - Added sorting algorithm selection guide flowchart - Added algorithm properties comparison diagram - Grouped algorithms by complexity class ### 4. Patterns #### Two Pointers (patterns/two-pointers.md) - Added two pointers strategy selector flowchart - Added opposite direction visualization (two sum example) - Added same direction visualization (remove duplicates example) - Added fast & slow pointers visualization (cycle detection) - Added sliding window visualization ### 5. README.md Enhancements - Added quick navigation diagram showing entire cheatsheet structure - Added learning path flowchart (steps 1-9) - Added problem-solving decision tree - Added complexity cheat sheet for common data structures and algorithms - Enhanced description with emphasis on visual learning ## Benefits: - Makes complex concepts easier to understand through visual representation - Provides decision trees to help choose appropriate algorithms/patterns - Color-coded diagrams for quick visual recognition - Step-by-step visualizations for complex operations - Improves learning experience for visual learners - Helps interview preparation with clear algorithmic thinking frameworks All diagrams use mermaid syntax for GitHub/GitLab compatibility.
Enhanced sliding-window.md and binary-search.md with comprehensive visualizations and actionable interview tips. ## Sliding Window Pattern (patterns/sliding-window.md) ### Visual Enhancements: - Added fixed-size sliding window step-by-step visualization - Added dynamic-size window visualization (longest substring example) - Added decision tree for when to use sliding window - Added pattern templates for both fixed and dynamic windows ### Tips and Tricks Section: - Quick decision matrix for choosing window type - Pro tips with code examples (incremental updates, hash maps) - Common mistakes diagram with fixes - Problem-specific tricks for "longest", "shortest", and "all subarrays" - Performance optimization guide - Complexity analysis rules - Interview tips checklist ## Binary Search Pattern (patterns/binary-search.md) ### Visual Enhancements: - Added step-by-step binary search process visualization - Added decision flow diagram for binary search algorithm - Added comprehensive "when to use" decision tree - Covers all variants: exact match, first/last occurrence, insert position, peaks, rotated arrays, and binary search on answer ### Tips and Tricks Section: - Binary search variants quick reference diagram - Pro tips: overflow prevention, loop conditions, templates for first/last occurrence - Advanced pattern: binary search on answer template - Common patterns cheatsheet (4 main patterns with examples) - Debugging checklist with solutions - Interview tips with edge cases - Common mistakes table - Complexity guarantee visualization showing scalability ## Benefits: - Visual learners can now understand patterns through diagrams - Interview-ready templates and code snippets - Common pitfalls highlighted with solutions - Decision trees help choose the right approach - Real-world complexity analysis with concrete examples - Each pattern now has actionable tips section All enhancements use mermaid syntax for GitHub compatibility.
Enhanced merge-intervals.md with extensive visualizations, decision trees, and actionable interview tips. ## Merge Intervals Pattern (patterns/merge-intervals.md) ### Visual Enhancements: - Added step-by-step merge process visualization showing each merge decision - Added overlap detection visual with all overlapping and non-overlapping cases - Added comprehensive "when to use" decision tree covering: * Merge overlapping intervals * Find conflicts * Insert interval * Find gaps/free slots * Count overlaps (meeting rooms) ### Tips and Tricks Section: - Interval pattern decision tree for choosing right approach - Pro tips with code examples: * Always sort first (by start or end depending on problem) * Overlap condition explained visually * Common patterns: merge overlapping and count maximum overlaps * Interval representation options - Common patterns cheatsheet: * Merge overlapping (sort by start) * Insert interval (3 phases) * Non-overlapping (sort by end, greedy) * Max concurrent (sweep line) - Debugging checklist with common fixes - Problem-specific tricks for: * Merge intervals * Meeting rooms II * Non-overlapping intervals * Insert interval - Complexity analysis visualization - Interview tips covering: * Clarifying interval representation * Edge cases to ask about * Common mistakes table with fixes * Interview-ready template - Visual debugging tips with timeline drawings ## Benefits: - Complete visual understanding of interval operations - Decision trees guide pattern selection - Ready-to-use code templates for interviews - Common pitfalls highlighted with solutions - Complexity analysis with clear explanations - Real-world timeline visualization technique All visualizations use mermaid syntax for GitHub compatibility.
… and Fast & Slow Pointers Enhanced three critical topics with extensive mermaid diagrams and practical tips for interview preparation. ## Dynamic Programming (algorithms/dynamic-programming.md) ### Visual Enhancements: - Added Fibonacci comparison showing exponential vs linear time with DP - Added DP approach decision tree (overlapping subproblems + optimal substructure) - Added common DP patterns visual (Linear, Grid/2D, Subsequence, Interval) - DP problem-solving framework flowchart (5 steps) - State design patterns diagram with examples ### Advanced Tips & Tricks Section: - Pro tips with code examples: * Start with recursion, add memoization * Identify state transitions * Space optimization techniques * Templates for top-down and bottom-up approaches - Common DP optimizations diagram (space, state reduction, early termination) - Debugging checklist with fixes - Interview strategy guide - Time vs space trade-off table - Common mistakes table with fixes - Complexity analysis quick reference with formula - Real interview tips (5 key strategies) ## Hash Tables (data-structures/hash-tables.md) ### Visual Enhancements: - Hash table structure with separate chaining visualization - Hash function process step-by-step (ASCII sum example) - Collision resolution methods comparison (chaining vs open addressing) - Shows collision handling with visual indicators - Pros/cons for each collision resolution method ## Fast & Slow Pointers (patterns/fast-slow-pointers.md) ### Visual Enhancements: - Fast & slow pointer movement across 3 iterations - Cycle detection visual with step-by-step process - Finding middle element visualization - Pattern decision tree for different use cases: * Detect cycle * Find middle * Find kth from end * Check palindrome ## Benefits: - DP now has complete visual understanding with decision trees - Hash tables show collision handling visually - Fast & slow pointers demonstrate pointer movement clearly - All topics now interview-ready with templates and strategies - Mermaid diagrams make complex concepts easy to grasp - Comprehensive tips sections for each topic All visualizations use mermaid syntax for GitHub compatibility.
Enhanced fundamental data structures with mermaid diagrams for better understanding of operations and use cases. ## Stacks (data-structures/stacks.md) ### Visual Enhancements: - Stack structure showing LIFO principle with color-coded elements - Stack operations visualization (Push, Pop, Peek) with step-by-step process - Each operation shows O(1) time complexity - Stack use cases decision tree covering: * Browser history/Undo-Redo operations * Balanced parentheses/HTML tag matching * Expression evaluation/Calculator implementation ## Heaps (data-structures/heaps.md) ### Visual Enhancements: - Max heap structure with parent ≥ children property - Min heap structure with parent ≤ children property - Heap operations visual: * Insert operation with bubble-up process * Extract min/max with bubble-down process * Both showing O(log n) time complexity - Heap vs other structures decision tree: * When to use heap vs BST vs priority queue * Two heaps pattern for median finding - Heap array representation with index formulas: * Parent: (i-1)/2 * Left child: 2i+1 * Right child: 2i+2 ## Benefits: - LIFO principle clearly visualized for stacks - Heap property and operations easy to understand - Decision trees help choose right data structure - Array representation of heaps demystified - All operations show time complexity - Color-coded diagrams for better visual learning All visualizations use mermaid syntax for GitHub compatibility.
- Created complete study guide for mastering Blind 75 LeetCode problems - Added 8-week structured study plan with visual timeline - Included 5-step problem-solving framework with mermaid flowcharts - Added pattern recognition guide with decision trees for identifying which pattern to use - Provided detailed deep dives into 6 major patterns: * Two Pointers (with visual examples and templates) * Sliding Window (with template and step-by-step visualization) * Fast & Slow Pointers (cycle detection, finding middle) * Binary Search (with standard template) * Backtracking (subsets, permutations, combinations) * Dynamic Programming (5-step DP framework with template) - Complete Blind 75 checklist organized by category: * Arrays & Hashing (9 problems) * Linked Lists (6 problems) * Trees (11 problems) * Dynamic Programming (12 problems) * And more... - Added interview day strategy with time management breakdown - Included communication tips (DO's and DON'Ts) - Listed common pitfalls and how to avoid them - Provided practice schedule and daily routine recommendations - Added mastery checklist for self-assessment This guide makes DSA concepts accessible and provides a clear path to efficiently solving LeetCode problems for technical interview preparation.
… files
Enhanced the following files with detailed problem-solving approaches, decision trees,
and step-by-step frameworks:
1. algorithms/backtracking.md:
- Added "How to Approach Backtracking Problems" section with decision trees
- Included step-by-step framework (5 phases) for identifying and solving backtracking problems
- Added mermaid diagrams for pattern identification and implementation strategy
- Included 4 common backtracking patterns with templates (Combinations, Permutations,
Constraint Satisfaction, Path Finding)
- Added optimization checklist and example of applying framework to Combination Sum
- Included decision matrix comparing backtracking vs other approaches
2. algorithms/greedy.md:
- Added "How to Approach Greedy Problems" section with comprehensive framework
- Included decision tree for identifying when greedy works
- Added 3 methods for proving greedy correctness (proof by contradiction,
exchange argument, staying ahead)
- Included 4 common greedy patterns with templates and decision criteria
- Added testing/verification checklist and decision flow diagrams
- Included example of applying framework to Jump Game problem
- Added common pitfalls section
3. data-structures/queues.md:
- Added "How to Approach Queue Problems" with pattern recognition
- Included decision trees for identifying queue usage and choosing queue type
- Added 4 common queue patterns with templates (BFS, Sliding Window, Multi-Source BFS,
Priority Queue Scheduling)
- Included problem-solving decision tree for different queue problem types
- Added "When to Use Which Queue" comparison table
- Included common mistakes section with solutions
4. data-structures/tries.md:
- Added "How to Approach Trie Problems" with comprehensive framework
- Included decision tree for identifying when to use tries
- Added 4 common trie patterns with templates (Dictionary Operations, Prefix Matching,
Wildcards, Board/Grid Word Search)
- Included comparison diagrams (Trie vs Hash Table, Trie vs other data structures)
- Added problem-solving framework with 5-step checklist
- Included decision matrix and common mistakes section
All enhancements include:
- Visual mermaid diagrams for decision-making
- Step-by-step problem-solving frameworks
- Code templates for each pattern
- Comparison tables and decision matrices
- Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
These additions make the cheatsheet more practical for interview preparation and
problem-solving.
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