[Very Important Coding Interviews Series: Linked List #10] How To Solve ANY Linked List Programming Question ( Pattern Approach with Shortcuts): How it Works ( Implementation Code)

Everything you MUST know to solve any Linked List question...

This is the best hands-on guide you will ever find on Linked List and Advanced Linked List which follows Pattern based Approach to Solve any Linked List and Advanced Linked List Technique questions and Shortcuts You MUST READ and Implement.

Objective : Master all Linked List and Advanced Linked List patterns that appear in 100% of coding interview problems.

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Pattern 1: Reverse Linked List (Iterative & Recursive)

3. Pattern 2: Fast & Slow Pointers (Floyd’s Cycle Detection)

4. Pattern 3: Merge Two or More Lists

5. Pattern 4: Two Pointers for Linked Lists

6. Pattern 5: In-Place Reversal of Sub-list

7. Pattern 6: Dummy Node Technique

8. Pattern 7: Reorder/Rearrange Lists

9. Pattern 8: Deep Copy with Random Pointers

10. Pattern 9: LRU Cache Design

11. Pattern 10: Remove Nodes

12. Shortcuts

Note : Each pattern comes with its Python Implementation ( can be found as you scroll) and at the end of thus post along with Linked List and Advanced Linked List Shortcuts and problem examples.

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Introduction

Linked Lists are a fundamental data structure frequently tested in technical interviews at FAANG and other top tech companies. Unlike arrays, linked lists provide dynamic memory allocation and efficient insertion/deletion at any position. However, they lack random access and require pointer manipulation skills.

Key Characteristics:

• Time Complexity: O(1) insertion/deletion (with pointer), O(n) search

• Space Complexity: O(n) for n nodes

• Common Pitfalls: Null pointer errors, losing references, memory leaks

Interview Success Strategy:

1. Always draw the list structure

2. Track multiple pointers carefully

3. Consider edge cases (empty, single node, two nodes)

4. Practice in-place operations to minimize space complexity

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Pattern 1: Reverse Linked List

1.1 Pattern Recognition and Shortcuts—