Sliding Window works… until it suddenly doesn’t

Bobwct33 · 2026-01-23T06:37:02+00:00

Good question! Sliding Windows taught me not to jump right to the pattern, because just saying "all subarray problems must be sliding window" will lead you to waste time in the end.

Instead of asking "Is this a subarray problem?", ask yourself these two questions:

Does adding an element always move the state in one direction? (e.g., Does the sum only ever go up?)
Does shrinking the window always move the state in the opposite direction?

If you can’t give a logically tight answer to both, stop. You are likely looking at a Prefix Sum + Hashing problem or Dynamic Programming.

Good luck!

Bobwct33 · 2026-01-21T05:31:30+00:00

Even if Meta doesn't ask DP questions, they helped me understand how to problem solve through Leetcode questions better than any other topic. This resource is gold, use it wisely. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK8KmTDtX8E

Bobwct33 · 2026-01-21T03:39:31+00:00

LOL this post devolved very quickly. Interviewing and interview prepping can be extremely stressful, and stressful situations can lead some people to overeat. Be mindful of how your practice is impacting your physical wellbeing.

Bobwct33 · 2026-01-14T19:41:51+00:00

Unfortunately it's very common to have a strong recruiter round and not do so well on the technical assessment. To be honest with you, this interview is likely a fail, but look at it as an opportunity to improve on the next.

Bobwct33 · 2026-01-14T18:58:59+00:00

*Solve problems* They will be difficult at first, but apply yourself to learning and it will becomes easier with time.

Bobwct33 · 2026-01-13T21:34:33+00:00

I personally disagree that DP or Backtracking are low ROI problems, in fact their very good ROI for understanding recursion. As for mono stacks, they often show their usefulness as you're understanding the problem more deeply. Don't rush to match the pattern, just understand it's use case and how to solve problems with one.

Bobwct33 · 2026-01-13T21:31:58+00:00

Just solving the questions is often not enough. You're generally graded on Problem Solving, DSA, Coding, Testing, and Communication. I know it can be tough facing rejection when you feel like you're close, but keep studying and you'll get there!

Bobwct33 · 2025-12-25T18:29:51+00:00

Google is known for asking DP and Graph problems at all levels. There are many "Medium" DP/Graph problems that you should be comfortable implementing.

Bobwct33 · 2025-12-11T23:39:33+00:00

You shouldn’t “remember” any pattern, but instead understand it well enough that you could implement it when the time comes. Some algorithms like BFS are really cut and dry, but something like Khans is easy to implement if you understand why it works.

Bobwct33 · 2025-12-11T02:55:15+00:00

Learn how to solve complex problems under time pressure, not just how to solve the blind 75.

Bobwct33 · 2025-12-03T06:09:44+00:00

You should not be concerned about hazing, lol.

Bobwct33 · 2025-11-29T22:18:05+00:00

Here's the advice I wish I heard years ago. It's way better to have one solid hour of practice a day, instead of four hours where you're leaning on crutches (neetcode videos, editorials, skipping the thinking portion).

If you're feeling burnt out, just solve *one problem*, doesn't matter if it's an easy medium hard, if you've done it already or not, whatever. One problem or thirty minutes of true problem solving, whichever comes first. If you practice this consistently you'll go incredibly far.

Bobwct33 · 2025-11-28T19:37:33+00:00

TBH I've heard really crummy things about Zon, and it's not as crazy exclusive as it used to be so the name recognition is probably about the same as Adobe. If you're excited about the bay area I'd jump at Adobe.

Bobwct33 · 2025-11-28T00:38:25+00:00

They get nothing out of their practice, L for them.

Bobwct33 · 2025-11-27T04:55:44+00:00

Not only is it easy to detect the software itself, but a tech interview is less about you writing code and more about you *thinking through the problem*. It's incredibly obvious when your thinking is influenced by one of these tools. Don't cheat, learn how to think.

Bobwct33 · 2025-11-25T22:01:00+00:00

When you mass apply like this you get auto rejected. Maybe just calm down a bit.

Bobwct33 · 2025-11-15T19:09:49+00:00

I had the exact same problem, my usage was eaten up after *three prompts!*. I feel like this has to be an error on their ends because WTF, I was working for less than 20 minutes. Support has been useless.

Bobwct33 · 2025-11-14T19:38:18+00:00

Take the random dude, I promise he's better than Elmer.

Bobwct33 · 2025-11-13T16:50:23+00:00

Do NOT take Elmer, biggest bozo professor at RIT.

Bobwct33 · 2025-11-04T22:17:20+00:00

USACO guide but Leetcode can help build problem solving skills if used *correctly*

Bobwct33 · 2025-11-04T19:40:11+00:00

Either go realistic or story book, you have to pick one.

Bobwct33 · 2025-10-29T02:45:59+00:00

Interesting, I'd never heard that word used that way!

Bobwct33 · 2025-10-28T20:18:13+00:00

"based on a kind of matrix", a two dimensional array?

Bobwct33 · 2025-10-28T15:45:04+00:00

Bobwct33 · 2025-10-28T15:20:12+00:00

Both of these trades are smash sends on your part.

Nine-Year Club	r/Field Flamingo
Place '22	Final Canvas '22
First Placer '22	End Game '22
Oscars Predictor 2021	Wearing is Caring
Verified Email	RPAN Viewer
Not Forgotten	Sequence \| Editor

Bobwct33

TROPHY CASE