21/09/2023, 05:05 Visualizing maxSubArray Algorithm

You:

give example visualisation step by step of this: /* Given int array, find contiguous subarray w/ max sum Ex. nums = [-2,1,-3,4,-1,2,1,-5,4] -> 6, [4,-1,2,1]
At each point, determine if it's better to add to curr sum or start over Time: O(n) Space: O(1) */ class Solution { public: int maxSubArray(vector<int>&
nums) { int curr = nums[0]; int result = nums[0]; for (int i = 1; i < nums.size(); i++) { curr = max(curr + nums[i], nums[i]); result = max(result, curr); }
return result; } };

------------------

ChatGPT:

Sure, I can provide you with a step-by-step visualization of how the maxSubArray function works. This function finds the contiguous subarray with the
maximum sum in an integer array. Let's go through it step by step:

cpp
class Solution {
public:
int maxSubArray(vector<int>& nums) {
int curr = nums[0]; // Initialize curr to the first element of the array.
int result = nums[0]; // Initialize result to the first element of the array.

for (int i = 1; i < nums.size(); i++) {

// At each step, calculate whether it's better to add the current element to curr or start a new su
curr = max(curr + nums[i], nums[i]);
// Update result with the maximum value encountered so far.
result = max(result, curr);
}

return result; // Return the maximum sum found.

}
};

Now, let's visualize how the algorithm works with an example input array nums = [-2,1,-3,4,-1,2,1,-5,4]:

Step 1:

curr is initialized to -2 (the first element).

result is also initialized to -2.

Step 2:

For i = 1, we compare curr + nums[1] (i.e., -2 + 1 = -1) with nums[1] (which is 1).
Since 1 is greater than -1, we update curr to 1.
We also update result to 1 since it's greater than the previous value of result (-2).

Step 3:

For i = 2, we compare curr + nums[2] (i.e., 1 - 3 = -2) with nums[2] (which is -3).
nums[2] is greater than curr + nums[2], so we start a new subarray with -3.
curr is updated to -3, but result remains 1.

Step 4:

For i = 3, we compare curr + nums[3] (i.e., -3 + 4 = 1) with nums[3] (which is 4).

4 is greater than 1, so we update curr to 4.
We also update result to 4 since it's greater than the previous value of result (1).

Step 5:

We continue this process for the rest of the array.

At the end, result will hold the maximum sum, which is 6 in this case.

So, the function returns 6, which is the maximum sum of a contiguous subarray in the given input array. The subarray [4, -1, 2, 1] has the
maximum sum of 6.

------------------

You:

can u visualise it with pointers curr and result being updated and how the statements inside for loop are working

------------------

ChatGPT:

Certainly! Let's visualize how the curr and result pointers are updated and how the statements inside the for loop work step by step:

cpp

https://chat.openai.com/c/a18964e8-2315-47ab-90a8-4ce0caa3069a 1/2
21/09/2023, 05:05 Visualizing maxSubArray Algorithm
class Solution {
public:
int maxSubArray(vector<int>& nums) {
int curr = nums[0]; // Initialize curr to the first element of the array.
int result = nums[0]; // Initialize result to the first element of the array.

for (int i = 1; i < nums.size(); i++) {

// At each step, calculate whether it's better to add the current element to curr or start a new su
curr = max(curr + nums[i], nums[i]); // Update curr.
result = max(result, curr); // Update result.
}

return result; // Return the maximum sum found.

}
};

Let's visualize this algorithm with the example input array nums = [-2,1,-3,4,-1,2,1,-5,4]:

Step 1:

curr is initialized to -2 (the first element).

result is also initialized to -2.

Step 2:

For i = 1, we calculate curr + nums[1] (i.e., -2 + 1 = -1) and compare it to nums[1] (which is 1).
Since 1 is greater than -1, we update curr to 1.
We also update result to 1 since it's greater than the previous value of result (-2).
Visualization:
curr points to 1.
result points to 1.

Step 3:

For i = 2, we calculate curr + nums[2] (i.e., 1 - 3 = -2) and compare it to nums[2] (which is -3).
nums[2] is greater than curr + nums[2], so we start a new subarray with -3.
curr is updated to -3.
Visualization:
curr points to -3.
result still points to 1.

Step 4:

For i = 3, we calculate curr + nums[3] (i.e., -3 + 4 = 1) and compare it to nums[3] (which is 4).
4 is greater than 1, so we update curr to 4.
We also update result to 4 since it's greater than the previous value of result (1).
Visualization:
curr points to 4.
result points to 4.

Step 5:

We continue this process for the rest of the array.

At each step, we update curr and result based on whether it's better to add the current element to curr or start a new subarray.
At the end, result will hold the maximum sum, which is 6 in this case.
Visualization:
curr and result get updated accordingly at each step.

So, the function returns 6, which is the maximum sum of a contiguous subarray in the given input array. The subarray [4, -1, 2, 1] has the
maximum sum of 6.

------------------

https://chat.openai.com/c/a18964e8-2315-47ab-90a8-4ce0caa3069a 2/2