687. Longest univalue path

Nov. 5, 2018

Introduction

It is my favorite interview algorithm. I like to explore all kinds of ideas to solve the problem. Recently I had chance to learn a new solution through the mock interview as an interviewer. I like to try the idea by myself, and also I like to share the idea with Leetcode discuss.

My practice

Here is my discuss link with my practice C# code.

Wang xiaoping - How to find a job after graduation?

Nov. 4, 2018

Introduction

It is the very good topic to talk about "How to find a job after graduation?". There is a case study talking about a young graduate talking about difficulty to find a job.

Here is the link.

就业竞争力 -> 行业竞争力

Wang qiang

Nov. 4, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to study Wang qiang. Here is the link. I like to spend time to watch five minutes video. Here is the link called "Good investment decisions should only take 10 minutes".

Xu xiaoping interview

Nov. 4, 2018

Introduction

It is 30 minutes interview. I spent time to watch the video. Here is the link. Here is the profile of xiaoping xu.

Life without retirement saving

Nov. 4, 2018

Introduction

It is a very good topic to study called life without retirement saving. The link is here.

How to use debt to create passive income

Nov. 4, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to explore another area of problem solving. I notice that I need to learn good debt, so next time I will adapt better based on my study of my own behavior. I missed the chance to purchase a home in the city of Surrey from 2010 to 2016, price around $130,000 condo brand new, since I could not understand good debt and passive income. I wrote a blog called woman to adapt.

Take some note

5% interest
Credit card
Cars
College

Rental property

10%

If you pay over 100,000 dollar to get a college but you cannot get a job. The debt is not good. ROI is low. A lot of students fail to pay back student loan in USA.

Money talk over 1 million view

Nov. 4, 2018

Introduction

It is the criteria I like to choose for my study this Sunday since I have to go to church at 11:30 PM. I like to choose those videos with over 1 million view.

Woman to adapt

Nov. 4, 2018

Introduction

I have a very challenging life and I like to write a story about it. I like to choose the topic called "Woman to adapt".

The timing

I came to Canada in 2010, and at that time I left Florida, a home with $58,000 home equity line open with interest rating 2.5%, and I took $30,000 from the line and landed in Canada as an immigrant. At that time, I could easily buy a condo one bedroom with the price $130,000 in the down town of Surrey. I got a programmer job in June 2010 two months after I came to Vancouver. I can get over $20,000 from my home equity line for the down payment.

I missed the chance to own a home in the city of Surrey. I had some concerns, but I did not talk to friends, I did not write down, and I did not analyze very well with any blog or research document.

Boca Raton and Surrey

Boca raton is the city I lived from 1984 to 2010. And then Surrey is the city I planned to purchase a home from 2010 to 2018.

Here is palm beach property appraiser link. And here is British Columbia's property appraisal.

Woman to adapt 

I will be the woman to adapt, and I like to learn how to adapt better this time after 8 years.

I need to adapt and understand the value of property in Canada. I like to write something to remind myself, adapt myself, prepare a check list, and write down questions, find help through youtube.com videos, get some help and ideas.

Learn to live with good debt

I have to learn how to learn to live with good debt, specially home equity loan is such a good debt, since from 2010 to 2017 I paid less than 2.5% interest rate from my US home equity line. 

How much time I can afford to educate myself?

Nov. 4, 2018

Introduction

It is very good practice to watch youtube.com video related to investment and entrepreneurship. I like to plan to spend more time to educate myself.

Google talk: The simple path to wealth

Nov. 4, 2018

Introduction

It is 40 minutes talk called The simple path to wealth. I spent time to watch the video. The link is here. The blog is here.

Question and answer

49:00 - 53:00/57:44
Question: Keep Google stock.
Answer: separate emotion from investment.

Investsimple instagram

Nov. 3, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to study one instagram account called investsimple. Here is the link.

How to earn passive income?

Nov. 3, 2018

Introduction

It is very good topic called passive income. I learn the term today, and here is 26 minutes video for me to study. I like to take some notes from the video.

Passive income

It is time for me to learn something about how to make passive income.

935. Knight dialer

Nov. 3, 2018

Introduction

It is the weekly contest 109. I spent over 60 minutes to work on the algorithm, I submitted the solution six minutes after the contest since the internet was down.

My practice

I like to look into my thought process, and I started to code an iterative solution, but I failed. And then I moved to write a recursive function, I talked to myself to make N = 1, 2, 3 work first; and then I came cross the time out when N = 19. I knew that there is timeout issue. And then I wrote a dynamic programming solution

Actionable Item

I like to solve the algorithm in less than 10 minutes. I spent so many time to work on similar algorithm since I helped a friend to review Google phone interview. Here is the blog. Here is my discuss link on Leetcode.com.

The most important is that there are only 10 possible states. I will look into discuss on the algorithm and then learn a few more ideas to solve the algorithm.

Weekly contest 109

Nov. 3, 218

Introduction

It is weekly contest 109 and I solved the first algorithm. I did finish second algorithm but my internet was down and I could not submit my second algorithm.

My performance

Here is my performance.

Here is the link of my first algorithm's discuss link. Here is the second algorithm's discuss link. I also shared the content in my blog in March 2018, here is the link.

Actionable Item

I need to learn to quickly adapt to the contest challenge, I need to evaluate all possible issues in the second algorithms, and then come out clean and simple solution. I wasted time to write code more than 30 minutes in the contest.

Even though I came out the idea using dynamic programming, I still do not write optimal solution using space O(10) instead of O(10 * N).

I found a role model for the second algorithm, here is the discuss link.

10 easy level linked list algorithms

Nov. 3, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to write a few words about my experience to work on 10 easy level linked list recently.

My practice

Here is the algorithms.

10 medium level linked list algorithms

Nov. 3, 2018

Introduction

It is the first time I devoted myself to work on medium level linked list algorithms. I solved around 10 medium level algorithms in one week, I like to write down what kind of learning experience it is.

10 medium level algorithms

It is a good idea to work on linked list algorithms in the same time. I can explore all kinds of problem related to linked lists.

A few words for three impressive algorithms

Winter safety study

Nov. 3, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to do some study about winter safety in the city of Vancouver area. A few years ago I fell on black ice and hurt my hip badly, even though I did not need to visit the doctor, but I learned the lesson not to wear rain boot to walk on icy road.

From easy level to medium level

Nov. 3, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to evaluate myself how to advance my problem solving skills. How cool I can take failures and then find ways to improve myself. Last 4 months I finished 170 easy level algorithms on Leetcode.com. I know that I can repeat the effort and then work on another 170 medium level algorithms.

Adapt to medium level algorithms

I learn the importance for me to learn most basics through the practice. I know the difference when I perform under pressure.

I really like to practice those medium level tree algorithm, linked list and also math and array.

To work on easy level algorithm, I learn how to be humble and learn the most important skills to survive as a software programmer. To work on medium level algorithms, or move to hard level algorithm, I should be inspired myself to work hard and smart, learn to meet those algorithms at least once, write once.

I have to work on those numbers, I have to make sure that I will meet those algorithms at least once. If I can do that, I certainly like to save time, start from high percentage passing rate, and then finish those algorithms first.

dailyworth.com

Nov. 3, 2018

Introduction

It is my job to give myself some reading assignment, I need to keep reading and also learn something. I choose to read the website with a lot of tips called dailyworth.com.

Investing

I like to read all articles tagged in investing. Here is the link.

Gabrielle bernstein

Nov. 3, 2018

Introduction

It is my job to plan some good program for me to learn more English and also some wisdom about finance, I chose to study one person this weekend. It is easy for me to learn, since there are so many good videos for me watch.

Videos to watch

I like to choose some videos to watch, and I like to integrate my learning with good videos from youtube.com.

Last weekend I felt so isolated since I do not watch any videos for entertainment at all. Now I think that I need to catch up some coaching videos instead. I do not need too much entertainment videos.

Amanda steinberg - 30 minutes video

Nov. 3, 2018

Introduction

It is time to challenge me to do some research about Amanda Steinberg. I am not sure how to approach my weekend study project, I like to spend 30 minutes to watch the video first, here is the  link called "How to master your money & set yourself free with Amanda steinberg".

How to get smart in management of personal finance?

Nov. 3, 2018

Introduction

I spent over two hours this Saturday and look up all the paper work I had last 20 years, including 9 years purchases. I know that I had to learn to get better organized, so I keep all paper copies. What I did next few weeks is to take photos and then check in github.com, so I can learn from my own experience.

Get organized

I did some study about my china vacation trip, I spent over $3,000 Canadian dollar for one month vacation in 2012, at that time, $3,000 Canadian dollar I can pay for 200 square foot condo in the city of Yichun.  I regretted that I wasted so much money on food, clothing, and all kinds of gifts, I saved first two years in Canada, instead of using money to pay my first home in Canada, I chose not to purchase a home, instead I wasted money on a trip or other things.

How to find good mentors through youtube.com videos?

Nov. 3, 2018

Introduction

It is so hard to review those receipts I paid last 9 years in Canada. I passed so many good opportunities to invest and chance to learn, and it is time for me to catch up learning.

Case study

I did one talk to Scotia bank loan officer since she visited the Willingdon church small group in 2011; I talked to a loan officer very often since she was in the same small church group, but I did not learn enough about real estate and loan from her. But I spent over 20 trips to USA cross board to shop clothing and gifts in Bellingham city.

My analysis 

One thing is to find some good and easy to follow mentors through those youtube.com videos. Since I am too busy and I also like to invest a lot of time to do programming, I like to keep learning. The life is much hard for me to handle since I am too afraid to take any risk at all.

Why I choose youtube.com instead of netflix

I subscribe netflix last 5 years, even though I did not watch that often. I found out that I need to catch up learning using youtube.com. I need to adapt my learning skills through programming, and apply the learning to those videos through youtube.com

Worry and scary in 2011

I spent three semesters to pay my Ph.D. study from 2010 to 2011, I paid US dollar and then stopped the program after three semesters. At that time I was so afraid. I did not have confidence to learn things by myself outside university, through real challenge in the daily full time job.

But I did not know that if I invest those $2,000 tuition into Amazon stock, in 2011, I may get 10 times investment back.

5 "Good investments" that are actually total scams

Nov. 3, 2018

Introduction

It is 14 minutes video called "5 good investments that are actually total scams". Here is the link.

7 extremely lazy ways to make more money

Nov. 3, 2018

Introduction

It is a 13 minutes video and I like to watch it a few times. Here is the link.

7 insane ways Americans waste money

Nov. 2, 2018

Introduction

I like to watch the video again, it is called "7 insane ways Americans waste money". Here is the link.

Celebration of 289 algorithms solved

Nov. 2, 2018

Introduction

It is challenging to write a blog using this topic "289 algorithms". I like to spend ten minutes to write a story about it. I just solved 289 algorithms on Leetcode.com. It is time for me to celebrate and then I like to write down my thought process to achieve this goal.

289 vs 100

I have been worked on Leetcode since January 2015, I started to work on algorithms on Leetcode.com and then learned so many ways to improve myself. I think that the learning experience is valuable, but one thing is missing. I only completed around 100 algorithms after three years six months.


Last four months, I started to work on algorithms. I always try to find easy level algorithms first. I like to solve more problems. Now today I solved 289 algorithms.

I still have over 20 easy level algorithms to work on. Those algorithms are bit manipulation, and other things.

Why number matters?

It is hard for me to measure myself; I have to journal my practice and then I found out that I do not know what it matters most. It is the number of algorithms I solve. I need to get those experience as top 5% players does. Top 5% is related to ranking 3300 out of 70,000 player.


I read a player with over 5466 submissions, and I did read Javascript submissions. I have to think about how I can find time to work on my JavaScript, my favorite language.

Here is my blog related to leetcode book.

The following is the comparison. A player knows to solve more algorithms, and also more than 5,000 submissions. My profile is the right side, with 289 solved algorithm, 1039 submissions. The player has more than 4400 submissions and solved more than 245 algorithms.

The medium level algorithms are my playground, I do not plan to get any interview right now in next 20 months. I just like to explore those algorithms and find something interesting to work on.

Blogging is just the beginning

It is the tip I learn from tennis sports coaching. Journal your practice. But blogging is just the beginning, after three years six months blogging starting from January 2015, I found out that I did not make enough progress in terms of problem solving skills.

I had to take a private coach in June 2018, and then got his advice on working on easy level algorithms first. I did not have strong competitive history and it makes me hard to figure out what is the next.

I have to work on those numbers, number of solved algorithm, total submissions, and I have to work hard to get more experience through those algorithms on Leetcode.com platform. 

19. Remove nth node from end of list

Medium level linked list
19. Remove Nth node from end of the list
24. Swap nodes in pairs
92. Reverse linked list II
138. Copy list with random pointer The elegant solution
143. Reorder the list 
147. Insertion sort list hard to write but is readable
328. Odd even linked list
445. Add two numbers II
817. Linked list components using hashset

92. Reverse linked list II

Medium level linked list
19. Remove Nth node from end of the list
24. Swap nodes in pairs
92. Reverse linked list II
138. Copy list with random pointer The elegant solution
143. Reorder the list 
147. Insertion sort list hard to write but is readable
328. Odd even linked list
445. Add two numbers II
817. Linked list components using hashset

24. Swap nodes in pairs

Medium level linked list
19. Remove Nth node from end of the list
24. Swap nodes in pairs
92. Reverse linked list II
138. Copy list with random pointer The elegant solution
143. Reorder the list 
147. Insertion sort list hard to write but is readable
328. Odd even linked list
445. Add two numbers II
817. Linked list components using hashset

328. Odd even linked list

Medium level linked list
19. Remove Nth node from end of the list
24. Swap nodes in pairs
92. Reverse linked list II
138. Copy list with random pointer The elegant solution
143. Reorder the list 
147. Insertion sort list hard to write but is readable
328. Odd even linked list
445. Add two numbers II
817. Linked list components using hashset

How to turn $10 into $100

Oct. 31, 2018

Introduction

It is a short video called How to turn $10 int $100. I like to take some notes here.

Rules

1. Buy low sell high
2. Max margin
3. Min costs

10 things you should never buy

Oct. 31, 2018

Introduction

It is a good video to watch. Here is the link of the video.

10 things you should buy

Oct. 31, 2018

Introduction

It is a short video and I like to take some notes from the video. Here is the link.

143. Reorder list

Oct. 31, 2018

Introduction

It is a medium level linked list algorithm. As a programmer, I learn that it is so important for me to take time to write those classical algorithms related to linked list.

My practice

Here is my discuss link.

Medium level linked list
138. Copy list with random pointer The elegant solution
143. Reorder the list 
147. Insertion sort list hard to write but is readable
445. Add two numbers II
817. Linked list components using hashset

445. Add two numbers II

Oct. 31, 2018

Introduction

It is a medium level linked list algorithm. I wrote the solution using stacks and then I found out that it is easy to write.

My practice

Here is my discuss link.

Medium level linked list
138. Copy list with random pointer The elegant solution
143. Reorder the list 
147. Insertion sort list hard to write but is readable
445. Add two numbers II
817. Linked list components using hashset

147 Insertion sort list

Oct. 31, 2018

Introduction

It is a medium level algorithm. I wrote the idea and it took me more than one hour to write. I like to write something about the practice with more detail later.

My practice

Here is my discuss link.

Medium level linked list

138. Copy list with random pointer The elegant solution
143. Reorder the list 
147. Insertion sort list hard to write but is readable
445. Add two numbers II
817. Linked list components using hashset

Barbara corcoran

Oct. 28, 2018

Introduction

I came cross this TED talk about failures, Rethinking failure: Barbara Corcoran. Here is the link. I like to spend some time this year to study Barbara corcoran, and hopefully I can learn something basics from real estate, how she made good career in the industry.

One of videos I watched is here.

Tenure Length of Tech Titans Compared

Oct. 28, 2018

Introduction

I came cross this statement, "Microsoft and Google  hire well, and Amazon and Facebook fire well" in the article, and I like to do some short research related to the topic. Here is the article for me to read and study 10 to 20 minutes.

Why you will fail to have a great career

Oct. 28, 2018

Introduction

It is a 15 minutes TED talk. I like to look into the arguments in the talk, "Why you will fail to have a great career ", Larry Smith. Here is the link. Here is the article.


Here is the short articled written by the professor.

The 3 Qualities Needed to Constantly Advance in Your Career

Oct. 28, 2018

Introduction

It is a short video and I like to conduct some short research related to the topic, the 3 qualities needed to constantly advance in your career. Here is the link.

The top 10 traits of people who advance in their careers

Oct. 28, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to read the article called top 10 traits, here is the link.

My most favorite top three traits

1. See failures as opportunities - ranking 10 out of 10

I failed to research the real estate market in British Columbia from 2010 to 2018, and I ended up wasting a lot of money on my vacation, clothing, shoes, car maintenance etc. I felt so disappointed to myself.

I recalled the test I prepared for Canada citizenship in 2014, I did prepare it in last week; Compared to the sister in the church, she prepared much early, attended two session 3 hours course in Burnaby library, and also shared her experience with me.

I have to overcome this procrastination problem. I pay the big price for the bad habit, since I do not build good habit at the very beginning.

2. Look for a mentor - ranking 9 out of 10

I just could not believe that I chose to have a mentor to help me advance my skills in algorithm and data structure problem solving in June, 2018.

3. Aspire for more - ranking 8 out of 10

10 reasons you don't have a great job

Oct. 28, 2018

Introduction

It is a good topic for me to study. It is called 10 reasons you don't have a great job. Here is the link.

Notes taken

I like to take some notes here.

1. Your standard
2. Oversell yourself
3. Lack of flexibility
4. Attitude
5. Too cool for school
6. Effort
7.
8. Unemployment too long
9. Endorsement
10.

10 Data structure, algorithms, and programming courses

Oct. 28, 2018

Introduction

It is interesting to look into those courses, I purchased one of them from ex-googler, Jeff Bae in June 2018. Here is the link. I plan to spend time to look into those courses later.

Is cash still king?

Oct. 28, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to study more about people, money, society, and market. I have been in Canada over 9 years, I could not make big progress in wealth making. It is never too late to study about money. I chose the topic "Is cash still king?". Here is the link.

Data

It is so surprising to learn that recession is the best time to invest money on the stock market. I did sell everything in 2009, fifteen year lowest point with my limited IRS mutual fund and stock, and then closed two accounts. I did the opposite.

Stock
             2009       2017
Ford          1           11
Citi            9          74
Disney    13         103
BofA       2.5          32
Amazon  34       1500
Nike        12           66

Ref 1: 17 US companies with biggest pile of cashes.

How to analyze Leetcode weekly contest performance?

Oct. 28, 2018

Introduction

It is a good topic to do some research how to evaluate my Leetcode contest weekly performance. I noticed the first time yesterday after weekly contest 108 the ranking and 5 minutes for each failed submission. I know that it is also very important for me to start the topic, I like to spend more time on ideas thinking in the contest instead of just making one algorithm passing online judge.

What to analyze?

I like to analyze so many things, yesterday the first time I will check player with ranking score 14, what are those global ranking range, how many algorithms they solved already.

I like to list five players scoring 14, and I like to choose them as my role models.

I like to list five players scoring 9, same score, but much more hard working than me. I understand that hard working is one thing, scoring high is another talent, I need to pay attention to, I like to learn how to improve.

Here is the blog I like to read from a player who solved 4 algorithms in the contest.

I like to look up some profiles and see how they advance their rankings.

Here is one in top 100. A player can change his major from medical to computer science. It is an interesting story.

Very well written blog, a player with full score on weekly contest 108. The blog is here. The leetcode profile is here.

Jane virgin

Oct. 28, 2018

Introduction

It is the show I like to watch again. Today I spent over one hour to watch the show, it was so relaxing and I had such great time. I think that in order to improve my performance on algorithm and data structure problem solving, first thing I have to do is to learn to relax and have some entertainment on netflix.com.

Ten hours

I like to plan to spend 10 hours time to watch the show. One reason I like to watch the show is that I used to live in Florida over 14 years. I miss Florida, I have three day vacation, I checked the airline ticket $400 us dollars.

Last time I watched Jane virgin is almost two years ago. I need to watch more shows to catch up ideas about fashion, good conversation and everything.

930. Binary subarray with Sum

Oct. 27, 2018

Introduction

It is now 9:28 PM. One hour 28 minutes after the weekly contest, I was more busy after the contest. The contest lasts 90 minutes, and then I spent another 90 minutes to study discuss. It is most busy time in the week and I enjoyed playing and also learning.

My practice

Here is the code I wrote in the contest. It took me one hour and five submissions in order to pass online judge.

I learned one optimal solution after the contest. Here is the link. I like to write a C# solution as well.

Leetcode weekly contest 108

Oct. 27, 2018

Introduction

It is another weekly contest, I did prepare better this time. I ate an orange before the contest to make sure that I will not feel headache, since I played some tennis before the contest. I like to perform better this time.

My performance

Here is my performance. I solved two algorithms in the contest. Second algorithm is not too hard, but I had so many issues and needed to work with online judge four times until I can pass the online judge.

After the contest

I learned an optimal solution and dynamic programming solution for question II - 930. Binary subarray with Sum. I will write those two solutions in next one hour or two.

Next time in the contest, I should think about the elegant solution first. In theory, there is an elegant solution for each algorithm, it takes less than 10 minutes. I need to think about 10 minutes carefully, this way I can finish three algorithms and then advance my ranking.

I checked player's the ranking of contest with score 14, which is in the range from 80 to 8,000, so my global ranking of contest 13, 000, the performance of contest matches my ability. I only solved 270 algorithms, I did see players solved 800 algorithms with score 14.

How to advance global ranking on Leetcode weekly contest?

Oct. 27, 2018

Introduction

It is a good research topic I can look into 20 minutes before the contest starts at 6:30 PM. How to advance my contest ranking? I had the lesson last week, I did not choose to work on an easy level algorithm, but I tried to work on a hard level algorithm almost one hour but failed to score anything. That brings my attention to do this research.

Global ranking

Right now my ranking is around 13,000, and I like to advance to top 10,000 first. I like to see how long it takes me to advance 3,000 in the ranking. I like to try the easy level algorithm first, since the hard level has complicated edge cases, it is hard to pass all test cases in the contest.

Also I like to work on my reading skills, specifically I like to learn IELTS reading skills and writing skills both. It is much better for me to work on two things in the same time.

How to double your money?

Oct. 27, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to do some study about money. Here is the perfect topic, how to double your money? This is 25 minutes video, and I like to take some notes from the video.

How to deal with anxiety attacks & depression

Oct. 27, 2018

Introduction

I do not know how to measure anxiety attacks & depression, but I know that it is a serious problem if we do not learn how to prevent and handle it properly. I think that most important is to find something really enjoyable to do every day, live in the present.

Continue to learn

I also like to watch the video by valuetainment, here is the link.

I did remember that this August my sister visited the city of Vancouver, she paid for the ticket to invite me to show fly over Canada in the Canada place. I was filled with so many emotions, I was so afraid one time on the show. After the show, I never felt so relax first time in last three months.

I wrote a few blogs and here is one of them.

Easy level algorithms

Oct. 27, 2018

Introduction

As a software programmer, I I solved 88 algorithms with 321 submissions from August 31 to Oct. 26, 2018. I like to write down my mark, and also I like to analyze my problem solving skill based on the facts that I can solve 88 algorithms in less than two months. 

My attitude

It is so important for me to keep working hard. I got the advice to work on easy level algorithms first. I have no excuse that I cannot solve easy level algorithms. So I just continued to work hard, solve those algorithms as quick as possible. 


Now I have to come out ideas how to solve medium level algorithms and how I should persuade myself to solve those hundreds of medium level algorithms. 

I like to be competitive player, and also I like to hold high standards as a software programmer. I like to push myself hard, and also like to challenge myself to take myself outside of comfortable zone. 

10 dumbest mistakes entrepreneurs make with their money

Oct. 27, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to watch a few videos, I like to learn things from those videos. The video is called 10 dumbest mistakes.

16 time wasters of entrepreneurs

Oct. 27, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to expand my knowledge and search for solutions to my existing problems. I need to find tips how to find nice ideas, good things to do. One is to watch this video called 16 time wasters of entrepreneurs. Here is the link.

Case study of my Chinese vacation trip 2012 (II)

Oct. 27, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to review my expenses, and I was so surprised that I spent so much on a China vacation in 2012 spring festival. I did try to analyze what was happening, and then I have to learn how to analyze my consumer behavior, since I may make similar mistakes in other activities. I like to do some research about money, how I have to catch up and get smart on those trips.

707. Design linked list

Oct. 27, 2018

Introduction

It is an easy level linked list algorithm. I had good time to learn from my submissions and then finally after hour long work I wrote a solution to pass online judge. I understand that it is so important for me to learn and the online judge is such a good tool for me to test my thinking process. I do like to fix those edge cases, and also very am pleased to go ahead to make it work.

My practice

Here is the link I shared my practice on Leetcode.com.

Linked list easy level algorithms

Oct. 26, 2018

Introduction

There are seven easy level linked list algorithms on leetcode.com. I plan to work on those algorithms this weekend.

My practice

I will complete those algorithms first, and then post the discuss link in the following. Those algorithms are 21, 83, 141, 160, 206, 237, 876.

703. Kth largest element in a stream

Oct. 27, 2018

Introduction

It is an easy level heap algorithm. I thought that I can write a solution using minimum heap quickly, but it took longer than one hour. I submitted more than four times and then finally I made it work.

My practice

Here is the post I shared on Leetcode discuss.

I like to write down very good experience to learn to design a minimum heap using SortedDictionary again, this time I also learned that time out issue, since I chose to count of minimum heap using SortedDictionary.Values.Count instead of keeping tracking of it by an variable actualSize.

What I did surprisingly is how to fix the timeout issue? Do SortedDictionary have issue with First() api related to time complexity?

I choose a good fight

One thing I like to do is to go for those easy level algorithms first, and also I like to show my problem solving skills.

First, I reviewed my past practice and I learned using SortedDictionary to write a minimum heap. I had rich experience to work on coding, since I have solved over 260 algorithms, I had experience to work on Merge k sorted lists, and I did study all C# submissions on Leetcode discuss.

Even though I have a lot of experience, but I still have to discipline myself again. I missed use case actualSize < size related to addNumberToHeap.

Most challenging thing is to solve timeout issue. I believe that SortedDictionary is based on binary tree to maintain the order, and I pinpointed the issue is related to check minimum heap's size. I decided to give it a try to track the size of heap by myself.

All those cases are really part of good workout for me to train myself, prepare myself for future challenge and exciting project to work.

Case study of my Chinese vacation trip 2012

Oct. 25, 2018

Introduction

It is time for me to do some case study, so I have time to correct my behavior, and learn how to enjoy good life with less expenses. I like to do a case study of my China trip 2012, a vacation trip.

Case study

I like to figure out what kind of person I am in terms of consumer and also an investor. Do I need to learn some basics again? I have a friend who chose to purchase a home in the city of Surrey over five years ago, but she did not take vacation every year to China last 8 years, only one trip to China. And she did not choose to purchase a car and try to save the money, now the home price is more than double.

It is time for me to review what I did, I took China vacation every year from 2012 to 2018. I enjoyed life so much now I have to work on the problem how I can afford a home in Canada. It is time for me to learn how to make money, work hard.

Airline ticket price

I need to spend time to do research about ticket price. The market is going up and down. April is best time to travel, in terms of weather and cost of airline ticket. I need to get smart on planning ahead, budget a economical trip.

First, I was surprised that I chose to take vacation in Chinese spring festival, the airline ticket costs me $1,000 Canada dollar in 2012. I did not know in 2012, I can get the ticket price around $500 dollars to travel to China in April since it is slow season in April.

The 20 rules of money

Oct. 25, 2018

Introduction

It is never too late how to save money and make money. I reserve every night of October for me to learn how to save money, and make money. I will do a few case study and show that I can save thousands if I learn at the very beginning.

Here is the video called The 20 rules of money.

20 rules 

I like to write down one by one all 20 rules.

1. Game
2. Don't be a hater
3. Double
4. Seduction
5. Timing
6. Boredom
7. Secret account
8. First class
9. Comp plan
10. End of the cash
11. Politician
12. Study smart invest
13. Play your game
14. Index
15. befriend $ maker
16. Diversification is for absolute sissies
17. Leverage
18. Positioning
19. Strategic partnership
20. Big check syndrome

897. Increasing order search tree

Oct. 25, 2018

Introduction

It is an easy level algorithm. I tried to work on one easy level algorithm tagged as tree, BFS and DFS. The algorithm called increasing order search tree is the one.

I chose the algorithm to celebrate my 1000th submission on Leetcode.com.

My practice

Here is the discuss link I posted on Leetcode.com.