Module 2 - Technical - Web Unit 4 Sprint 16 ACS 3

Advanced Coding Challenges

Practice Makes Perfect

In this module, you'll continue to improve your programming and problem-solving skills through a series of advanced challenges. The key to success is consistent practice and dedication.

Key Points:

  • Focus on understanding core concepts deeply
  • Practice solving complex problems efficiently
  • Build your problem-solving toolkit
  • Prepare for technical interviews

Essential Algorithm Patterns:

This module will help you master these critical algorithm patterns:

  • Two Pointers - Efficient technique for linear data structures
  • Sliding Window - Optimizing subarray/substring operations
  • Binary Search - Fast searching in sorted collections

Example of the Two Pointers pattern:

// Valid Palindrome - Two Pointers Approach
// Check if a string is a palindrome considering only alphanumeric characters

function isPalindrome(s) {
    // Convert to lowercase and remove non-alphanumeric characters
    s = s.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9]/g, '');
    
    let left = 0;
    let right = s.length - 1;
    
    while (left < right) {
        if (s[left] !== s[right]) {
            return false;
        }
        left++;
        right--;
    }
    
    return true;
}

// Example usage:
// isPalindrome("A man, a plan, a canal: Panama") -> true

Practice GCA Test

Take the Practice GCA

Regular practice with the General Code Assessment (GCA) is essential for achieving a high score. The more comfortable you become with the test format and types of problems, the better your chances of success.

  1. Go to Practice GCA Test
  2. Select your preferred programming language
  3. Agree to the Terms and Pledges
  4. Click Start to begin the test
  5. Complete all tasks to the best of your ability
  6. Click "Finish My Session" when done

Practice Tips

  • Take practice tests regularly to build familiarity
  • Review your solutions and learn from mistakes
  • Focus on improving your score with each attempt
  • Use the time limit to practice under pressure
  • Analyze the types of problems you struggle with and focus on improving those areas

Code-Along Sessions

Available Sessions

Arrays and Moving Windows

Learn to efficiently process contiguous subarrays using the sliding window technique.

Starter Code Solution

Big O Analysis and Caching

Master algorithm efficiency analysis and caching techniques to optimize performance.

Starter Code Solution
Schedule a Code-Along

Additional Resources

LeetCode Problem Sets

The CodeSignal Arcade is no longer available. Instead, we recommend practicing with LeetCode's Medium-level problems to continue improving your problem-solving skills.

Focus on these essential collections:

Example sliding window problem from this collection:

// Find maximum sum subarray of size k
function maxSubArraySum(arr, k) {
    if (arr.length < k) {
        return null;
    }
    
    // Calculate sum of first window
    let maxSum = 0;
    for (let i = 0; i < k; i++) {
        maxSum += arr[i];
    }
    
    let windowSum = maxSum;
    
    // Slide window and keep track of maximum
    for (let i = k; i < arr.length; i++) {
        windowSum = windowSum - arr[i - k] + arr[i];
        maxSum = Math.max(maxSum, windowSum);
    }
    
    return maxSum;
}

Code-Along Preparation

This video provides essential preparation guidelines to help you maximize the benefit of the code-along sessions.