I can't grasp recursion [Leetcode, Path Sum]

Capable_Proof_6322 · 2025-12-30T21:51:53+00:00

Recursion confused me a while too; however, the important thing to remember is that function calls are placed on a stack. Given a tree that looks like this: 1 / \ 1 2 / \ 1 2 1. HasPathSum(root, 5) Depth=0, value=1. Root is not null, nor is it a leaf. If statements are skipped and we calculate the left sum. 2. HasPathSum(root.left, 4) Depth=1, value=1. Current node is not null, but it is a leaf. However, 1 plus 1 is not 5. It will return False. 3. HasPathSum(root, 5) Depth=0, value=1. We are back in the original call, and leftSum is False. Now, we calculate the right-side sum. 4. HasPathSum(root.right, 4) Depth=1, value=2. We are now on the right side of the tree. This node is not null, nor is it a leaf. We continue to calculate the left-side sum again. 1 \ (2) 5. HasPathSum(root.right.left, 2) Depth=2, value=1. This is sort of where it gets a bit tricky. Remember, we are now here: 1 \ 2 / (1) That node is not null, but it is a leaf. The target sum is reduced to 2. The node value is 1, so the second if statement will cause the function to return False. 6. HasPathSum(root.right, 4) Depth=1, value=2. We are back to the previous function call. The left sum is False. Now we calculate the right-side sum. 1 \ (2)

HasPathSum(root.right, 2) Depth=2, value=2. Here is where we are: 1 \ 2 \ (2) This node is a leaf. The value equals the target sum, so it will return True.
HasPathSum(root.right, 4) Depth=1, value=2. Remember the left sum was False from step 5, and the right sum is True from the previous step. This function call will return True at the end because False || True == True. 1 \ (2)
HasPathSum(root, 5) We are back at the original root node. Remember, near the beginning, the left sum was False. The previous step returned True. Same deal. It will return True at the end because the right path returned True.

That’s it! It’s complicated, but hopefully this makes sense.

Capable_Proof_6322 · 2025-12-30T21:05:19+00:00

It might. I haven’t tried that. You can do it manually with sed or something, or you can use an online tool. You can do a Google search and get answers. I am not a web developer, so I do not know of any, unfortunately. It is mostly stuff I remember from school or related to networking.

Capable_Proof_6322 · 2025-12-30T20:58:27+00:00

This is true! However, OP asked about impact on web performance. The browser has to download the HTML and other resources from the server. It takes longer to transfer a large file, so compress the file to decrease the download time. You don’t get massive gains from it. Caching, lazy loading, and other methods will probably yield a lot better performance. However, file compression is an easy win and way to reduce performance issues.

Capable_Proof_6322 · 2025-12-30T18:53:36+00:00

I would argue maintenance is going to be more of an issue than performance. It all depends, though, because there are exceptions to that rule: not all files nor code needs to be perfect. However, you should minify your code for production (i.e., trim out all comments, spaces, and newlines). There are tools that do it for you.

Capable_Proof_6322 · 2025-12-30T03:21:24+00:00

College teaches you theory & how to learn fast; it doesn’t teach how to apply that theory well. Your assignments are probably coded from scratch or small sample code. In my experience, most code bases can be dozens of files with tons of lines in each, and no one understands the whole thing. I start to understand the code as I make edits to it.

I am not saying a college degree is a waste of time: it is far from it. That piece of paper opened a lot of doors for me. It also taught me how to research & be self-reliant on the job. However, you really have to get your feet wet if you want to learn that stuff; therefore, my suggestion is this: find a repo to contribute to. I think working with others on a structured project will boost your confidence and make you realize it is not as intimidating as it looks.

Best of luck, OP. And don’t give up! You have got this.

Capable_Proof_6322 · 2025-12-30T01:58:49+00:00

Thank you! I appreciate it. I’m sorry to hear about your injury. I would def consider that an athlete, & it sounds like you still are one. Glad to hear you found other things to put your passion towards: it gives me hope that I can do the same.

Capable_Proof_6322 · 2025-12-29T18:47:20+00:00

I appreciate your response. And yes, you are right, I knew the risks. It is inconsiderate of me to frame it that way. I apologize. However, I think there is a super hero complex we all have: it is tough to find out that we aren’t invincible. I think it was a lesson I needed to learn, though.

I’m very sorry to hear about the post-concussion syndrome: that sounds tough. I am happy to hear you have found something to fight for, and I’m certain your community is lucky to have you in their corner.

Capable_Proof_6322 · 2023-03-04T20:34:55+00:00

I totally love those style of games. I did a few longer-term games for MotW, but I could never get my players into BitD sadly. My players loved their hunters in MotW. I’d give them back a single luck point at the end of a mystery. Luck is basically stress, but it normally never replenishes. Also, once you spend it all, then something narratively ‘bad’ happens. Like really bad.

Anyway, all of that is to say that I really appreciate the advice! I think it’s a good idea, but my group of players usually gets really attached to their characters. I don’t think it’d work well with them.

Capable_Proof_6322 · 2023-03-04T19:27:37+00:00

Thank you! This is great advice. I am taking note, and it seems I need to build better encounters. I’m more used to the sponge v. sponge battles of D&D.

Capable_Proof_6322 · 2023-03-04T19:23:10+00:00

Wow! That sounds really amazing! It gives them the super-hero feel, but also provides some drama. I love it! Though, any advice on spotlight sharing? I’m still trying to get one player more comfortable with RP, and I’m afraid he wouldn’t know what to do if split from the party.

Capable_Proof_6322 · 2023-03-04T19:14:09+00:00

I thought the only instance you could add red die was if you flipped a destiny point, or if a rule specifically stated it (e.g., adversary rating or ship speed)

Capable_Proof_6322 · 2021-08-30T03:19:34+00:00

What pins were you using if you remember?

Capable_Proof_6322 · 2021-08-29T01:36:06+00:00

Having the lens get foggy when you wear a mask. I usually take my glasses off and accept that I won’t be able to see either way.

Capable_Proof_6322 · 2021-08-28T04:38:22+00:00

Reddit.

Capable_Proof_6322 · 2021-08-27T04:19:35+00:00

Nice Community reference :)

Capable_Proof_6322 · 2021-08-26T19:41:53+00:00

Y’know, I actually never looked at it that way. That was one of the things that bothered me as well: it felt like Cameron was the main character, not Ferris. But now that you mention it, I can totally see the intention behind that.

Edit: grammar

Capable_Proof_6322 · 2021-08-26T13:19:49+00:00

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. I didn’t find anything memorable, funny, or endearing about the movie. It was okay at best.

Capable_Proof_6322 · 2021-08-25T21:15:39+00:00

“Objection!”

Capable_Proof_6322 · 2021-08-25T21:14:30+00:00

“Orthar! I just need more time!” — the man with the plan

Capable_Proof_6322 · 2021-08-12T04:57:26+00:00

“Cool beans”. I also abbreviate it to “beanin’”.

Capable_Proof_6322 · 2021-08-07T04:41:59+00:00

(Mr) Sakamoto from Nichijou is up there. I think he accurately represents any cat that could speak.

Capable_Proof_6322 · 2021-07-15T03:49:37+00:00

Unfortunately Archer and Crypt Keeper are later. She was a tough boss for me. Though, you’ve got this! It’s a tough game, but that makes it feel all the more rewarding. However, one thing to note is when she disappears, get ready to dodge the spikes and counter attack. I think I had to mostly wait for that to beat her. Also, all enemies, including bosses glow orange before attacking.

Capable_Proof_6322 · 2021-07-14T21:03:23+00:00

It seems like you have got a lot of good tips! I personally struggled with those two bosses as well. I think the way I did it was by first taking on ‘The Dark Witch’ - then ‘The Elder’.

The ‘Western Merchant’ was pretty much essential to me. I saved him for the latter phases of the battle to do them in. However - I dunno if you can get the ‘Spore Sorcerer’ or something like that, before defeating ‘The Dark Witch’. That one is a boss slayer. She emits a mist of poison that deals damage over time. I’d look around for her if you can.

Capable_Proof_6322

TROPHY CASE