← 返回博客列表
Apple

Apple Algorithm Interview: Complete Path from Brute Force to Optimization

2025-10-28

Apple interviews focus on the algorithm optimization process. This article demonstrates how to progressively optimize from a brute force solution to an optimal solution through a comprehensive problem. oavoservice helps you master optimization thinking.

📋 Problem: Longest Increasing Subsequence (LIS)

Given an array, find the length of the longest strictly increasing subsequence.

🎯 Solution Evolution

Method 1: Brute Force Recursion

def lengthOfLIS_v1(nums):
    def dfs(i, prev):
        if i == len(nums):
            return 0
        
        # Do not select current element
        skip = dfs(i + 1, prev)
        
        # Select current element
        take = 0
        if prev == -1 or nums[i] > nums[prev]:
            take = 1 + dfs(i + 1, i)
        
        return max(skip, take)
    
    return dfs(0, -1)

Time: O(2^n)

Method 2: Memoization

def lengthOfLIS_v2(nums):
    memo = {}
    
    def dfs(i, prev):
        if i == len(nums):
            return 0
        
        if (i, prev) in memo:
            return memo[(i, prev)]
        
        skip = dfs(i + 1, prev)
        take = 0
        if prev == -1 or nums[i] > nums[prev]:
            take = 1 + dfs(i + 1, i)
        
        memo[(i, prev)] = max(skip, take)
        return memo[(i, prev)]
    
    return dfs(0, -1)

Time: O(n²)

Method 3: Dynamic Programming

def lengthOfLIS_v3(nums):
    if not nums:
        return 0
    
    dp = [1] * len(nums)
    
    for i in range(1, len(nums)):
        for j in range(i):
            if nums[i] > nums[j]:
                dp[i] = max(dp[i], dp[j] + 1)
    
    return max(dp)

Time: O(n²)

Method 4: Binary Search (Optimal)

def lengthOfLIS_v4(nums):
    tails = []
    
    for num in nums:
        left, right = 0, len(tails)
        while left < right:
            mid = (left + right) // 2
            if tails[mid] < num:
                left = mid + 1
            else:
                right = mid
        
        if left == len(tails):
            tails.append(num)
        else:
            tails[left] = num
    
    return len(tails)

Time: O(n log n)

💼 How oavoservice Helps

Optimization Path - Complete process from brute force to optimal. Complexity Analysis - Improvements at each step. Interview Skills - How to demonstrate your thought process.

Contact oavoservice for professional algorithm optimization interview assistance!


Tags: #Apple #AlgorithmOptimization #DynamicProgramming #BinarySearch #VOHelp #InterviewPrep #1point3acres


Need real interview questions? Contact WeChat Coding0201 immediately to get real questions.