Pretty straightforward once you just start writing.
Start by clarifying the problem constraints and edge cases, then propose a single-pass traversal using a variable to track the minimum. Emphasize that this achieves O(n) time and O(1) space, and discuss potential pitfalls like empty lists.
Pro tip: Mention that you would handle the empty list case explicitly, either by returning a sentinel value or throwing an exception, depending on the requirements. This shows attention to detail and defensive programming.
Restate the problem in your own words and ask clarifying questions about input constraints, edge cases (e.g., empty list, single node), and expected return type.
Explain that you will traverse the list once, maintaining a variable initialized to the head's value, and update it whenever a smaller value is found.
State that the algorithm runs in O(n) time because each node is visited once, and uses O(1) extra space since only a few variables are needed.
Discuss how to handle an empty list (e.g., return null, throw an exception, or return a sentinel like Integer.MAX_VALUE) and confirm with the interviewer.
Write clean code with meaningful variable names, then walk through a small example to verify correctness.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.