Step 15: Graphs [Concepts & Problems]›Topo Sort and Problems
Topo Sort
HardFunction: topoSort()
ASCI Mission Breakdown • Simple as Hell
"Master Topo Sort: Take `nums` (number[]), execute an optimal topo sort and problems strategy, and return number[] with clean edge-case handling."
Real-World Metaphor:
Think of Topo Sort as an everyday real-world challenge: you receive input data, inspect its elements in sequence without making unnecessary duplicate passes, and transform the collection to reach the exact target without wasting computer memory.
Interactive Visual WalkthroughARRAY-POINTERS
Step 1 / 3
Topo Sort State Pipeline
start
5
[0]
2
[1]
3
[2]
1
[3]
Memory Notepad / State Tracker
Status:Initialized
Mode:Scanning
Evaluating
1. Initialize State for Topo Sort
Load inputs and initialize algorithmic registers.
How to Think About This (Mental Model)
Unpack the problem parameters (`nums` (number[])) and clarify what is given vs what must be returned.
Identify the optimal data structure or pattern (e.g. pointers, hash map, or stack) to avoid redundant recalculations.
Walk through state transitions, handle edge cases (empty collections, single items, negative numbers), and return the verified result.
Given an array of integers `nums`, sort the array in ascending order using the **Topo Sort** technique.
Return the sorted array.
Examples
Example 1
Input: nums = [5,2,3,1]
Output: [1,2,3,5]
Example 2
Input: nums = [5,1,1,2,0,0]
Output: [0,0,1,1,2,5]
Constraints
1 <= nums.length <= 5 * 10^4
-5 * 10^4 <= nums[i] <= 5 * 10^4
Topic Tags:
Graphs [Concepts & Problems]Topo Sort and ProblemstopoSort