🔥 Hot backtracking problem inside

Welcome back!

This week’s problem uses the backtracking approach … and that’s the only tip we’re going to give 🤫 

Here’s what to expect today:

• Generate parentheses

• 5 Software architecture patterns for distributed systems

Read time: under 4 minutes

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CODING CHALLENGE

Generate Parentheses

Given n pairs of parentheses, write a function to generate all combinations of well-formed parentheses.

Example 1:

Input: n = 3
Output: ["((()))","(()())","(())()","()(())","()()()"]

Example 2:

Input: n = 1
Output: ["()"]

Solve the problem here before reading the solution.

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SOLUTION

To solve this problem, we'll use a recursive approach with backtracking.

We'll use a helper function to generate the combinations. We'll keep track of the number of open and closed parentheses used so far.

We can add an open parenthesis if we haven't used all n, and we can add a closed parenthesis if there are more open than closed ones.

The exact time complexity of this solution is O(4^n / √n). This can be approximated as O(4^n) for simplicity, as the √n factor in the denominator is less significant for large n.

For each position in the string, we have two choices: either '(' or ')'. We're generating strings of length 2n. If we had no restrictions, we'd have 2 choices for each of the 2n positions, leading to 2^(2n) possibilities which is also 4^n . This is not the exact explanation but should be good enough for an interview.

SYSTEM DESIGN EXPLAINED

5 Software Architecture Patterns for Distributed Systems

When designing distributed systems, you can leverage these 5 popular patterns:

1. Request-Response Pattern: This fundamental pattern involves a client sending a request to a server and awaiting a response. It's widely used in web applications and RESTful APIs. The synchronous nature ensures predictable behavior and good error handling.

2. Batching Pattern: This involves accumulating data before processing it as a single unit. It reduces overhead and improves efficiency in data processing pipelines. Batching is commonly used in data ingestion and distributed computing frameworks.

3. Streaming Processing Pattern: This pattern enables real-time processing of continuous data streams. Unlike batch processing, it handles data with low latency as it arrives. It's used in finance, IoT, and cybersecurity for real-time analytics.

4. Pub-Sub (Publish-Subscribe): This pattern decouples message producers from consumers using a message broker like Kafka or RabbitMQ. Publishers broadcast messages to topics, while subscribers receive relevant messages asynchronously. It's great for real-time messaging and event-driven microservices.

5. Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Pattern: This decentralized model allows direct communication between components without a central coordinator. Each node acts as both client and server, making it ideal for file sharing systems and blockchain networks.

NEWS

This Week in the Tech World

OpenAI launches SearchGPT: OpenAI announced a prototype search engine called SearchGPT, aiming to provide faster, more intuitive search experiences. This move could challenge Google's search dominance.

Apple releases AI preview: Apple launched the first preview of Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1 beta. The AI suite enhances Siri, generates emails and images, and improves photo search. Full release expected later this year.

Microsoft offers one-time bonuses: Microsoft will give non-executive employees one-time cash awards up to 25% of their annual bonus. The move follows strong fiscal year results and aims to boost morale after recent layoffs.

Meta's AI boosts ad revenue: Meta's Q2 ad revenue jumped 22%, outpacing rivals. CEO Zuckerberg credits AI for improving recommendations and ad effectiveness, showing immediate returns on AI investments.

Microsoft adds OpenAI as competitor: Microsoft now lists OpenAI as a competitor in AI and search, despite their partnership. This follows OpenAI's SearchGPT prototype announcement, signaling growing rivalry in the AI space.

Uber partners with BYD for EVs: Uber plans to use 100,000 BYD electric cars in Europe and Latin America. The partnership also includes developing "autonomous-capable vehicles" for Uber's platform, expanding their EV and self-driving efforts.

WeRide expands globally: Self-driving tech firm WeRide accelerates global expansion, testing autonomous sanitation vehicles and shuttle buses in Singapore. The company eyes Japan and Europe next, riding the AI boom in transportation.

BONUS

Just for laughs 😏

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Until next time, take care! 🚀

Cheers,

Sahil + Sarra