I genuinely could have done this in my first semester of uni.
Start by clarifying the problem requirements and constraints, then explain your thought process before writing any code. Write clean, readable code with meaningful variable names and include a conditional check inside a loop. After writing, walk through a few test cases to verify correctness and discuss edge cases.
Pro tip: Even for simple problems, demonstrate professionalism by discussing time and space complexity, and mention how you would test the solution. This shows you think beyond just getting the right answer.
Ask clarifying questions to ensure you understand the requirements, such as input range, expected output, and any constraints. Confirm the programming language and any specific style preferences.
Explain your logic in plain English before coding. Describe the loop structure and the condition you will check, and why it's appropriate.
Implement the solution with clear variable names and proper indentation. Keep it simple and avoid unnecessary complexity.
Walk through the code with a few sample inputs, including edge cases like zero, negative numbers, or empty input if applicable. Check for off-by-one errors.
State the time and space complexity, and suggest any potential optimizations or alternative approaches if relevant.
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