Looked simple and I almost wrote a four-case if-statement before catching myself.
Clarify the definition of overlap (inclusive vs exclusive) and edge cases like empty ranges. Then present the simple condition: two ranges overlap if each starts before the other ends, i.e., start1 <= end2 and start2 <= end1. Discuss time and space complexity and test with examples.
Pro tip: Mention that this is a common warm-up question at Meta, and interviewers look for clean, bug-free code with proper edge case handling. Explicitly state your assumptions about inclusivity and empty ranges before coding.
Ask whether ranges are inclusive or exclusive, and whether empty ranges (start > end) are possible. Confirm the expected return type (boolean).
Two ranges [s1, e1] and [s2, e2] overlap if and only if s1 <= e2 and s2 <= e1. This is the simplest and most efficient check.
Consider cases where ranges just touch (e.g., [1,2] and [2,3]) and decide if that counts as overlap based on inclusivity. Also consider empty ranges.
Implement the function with clear variable names and a single return statement. For example: return start1 <= end2 && start2 <= end1;
Walk through a few test cases (overlap, no overlap, touching, empty) and state that time and space complexity are O(1).
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.