Step 16: Dynamic Programming [Patterns and Problems]›1D DP
Climbing Stairs
EasyFunction: climbStairs()
ASCI Mission Breakdown • Simple as Hell
"Master Climbing Stairs: Take `n` (number), execute an optimal 1d dp strategy, and return number with clean edge-case handling."
Real-World Metaphor:
Think of Climbing Stairs 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 WalkthroughDP-GRID
Step 1 / 3
StatusInitialized
ModeScanning
Evaluating
1. Initialize State for Climbing Stairs
Load inputs and initialize algorithmic registers.
How to Think About This (Mental Model)
Unpack the problem parameters (`n` (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.
You are climbing a staircase. It takes `n` steps to reach the top.
Each time you can either climb `1` or `2` steps. In how many distinct ways can you climb to the top?
Examples
Example 1
Input: n = 2
Output: 2
Explanation: There are two ways to climb to the top: 1. 1 step + 1 step, 2. 2 steps
Example 2
Input: n = 3
Output: 3
Explanation: There are three ways: 1. 1+1+1, 2. 1+2, 3. 2+1
Constraints
1 <= n <= 45
Topic Tags:
Dynamic Programming [Patterns and Problems]1D DPclimbStairs