This is a graph traversal problem at its core but the trick is pruning.
Model the Boggle board as a graph and use DFS with backtracking to explore all possible paths from each cell, checking prefixes against a trie or hash set of valid words. Optimize by pruning paths that cannot form any valid word, and consider using a trie for efficient prefix lookup.
Pro tip: Discuss trade-offs between using a trie versus a hash set for the dictionary, and mention how to handle duplicate words and the 'visited' state efficiently. Also, clarify assumptions about board size, word length, and dictionary size to tailor the solution.
Ask about board dimensions, dictionary size, whether words can be reused, and if diagonal moves are allowed. Confirm output format (list of words, sorted, etc.).
Decide on a trie for the dictionary to enable prefix pruning, and a 2D boolean array or in-place marking for visited cells. Alternatively, use a hash set if dictionary is small.
For each cell, start DFS: if current prefix is a valid word, add to results; if it's a prefix of any word, continue exploring neighbors. Mark cell as visited before recursion and unmark after.
Prune branches when prefix is not in trie. Use a set to avoid duplicate words. Consider early termination if maximum word length is known.
Discuss time complexity: O(N*M*8^L) worst-case, but trie pruning reduces it. Space: O(L) recursion depth plus trie storage. Walk through a small example.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.