Dataford
Interview QuestionsInterview GuidesExperiencesCoaching
New
Pricing
Get started
Dataford
Popular roles
Software EngineerData AnalystData ScientistData EngineerBusiness AnalystAI EngineerMachine Learning EngineerProduct Manager
Browse
Browse All RolesEvery role hub, from analyst to MLBrowse All CompaniesCompany-specific interview loopsAll Interview GuidesThe full guide library
Top questions by role
Software EngineerData AnalystData ScientistData EngineerBusiness AnalystAI EngineerMachine Learning EngineerProduct Manager
Top questions by skill
SQLPythonStatisticsMachine LearningA/B TestingSystem DesignGenerative AIProduct SenseMetricsBehavioral
Browse all questions →Try a mock interview
Experiences
Practice
Mock InterviewsTimed interview simulations with feedbackCoaching1:1 coaching with people at your target companiesSuccess PathYour 6-week structured planModulesCurated lessons by topicWebinarsTalks from ex-Big Tech data leadsPlaygroundA free-form scratch editor
Learn
BlogInterview strategy and career adviceTech Job Market ReportHiring trends across data and AI rolesFor UniversitiesDataford for career centersAbout DatafordWho we are and how we build
Pricing
Build my plan
Learning New Algorithms and Data Structures
00:00
5 left

Learning New Algorithms and Data Structures

MediumPython

Problem

How do you approach learning new algorithms or data structures?

For the hands-on portion, implement a function that turns prerequisite relationships into a valid learning order. Return every topic once, after all of its prerequisites, or return an empty list when the prerequisites contain a cycle.

Input: a list of topic names and pairs [topic, prerequisite].

Output: a list of topic names in valid learning order, or [] if no such order exists.

Constraints

  • 1 <= len(topics) <= 10^4
  • 0 <= len(prerequisites) <= 2 * 10^4
  • Each topic name is unique
  • Every prerequisite references topics in topics
  • A prerequisite pair is formatted as [topic, prerequisite]

Function Signature

def learning_order(topics, prerequisites):
Interviewer

Your question is Learning New Algorithms and Data Structures. Start with the requirements in the Question tab.

Run and submit as often as you like. When you're ready, talk me through your approach or go straight to the code.

You need to log in / sign up to run or submit.
CodePython 3
Sign up free to run your codeLog inLn 2
Run your code to see test output here.