Frequent question: Is using STL allowed in interviews?

Can we use STL in interviews?

You should use STL unless: The question is asking for the same function/data structure, i.e do not use priority_queue or heap functions of STL, if the question is to implement a heap.

Is it good to use STL?

STL is well tested and reliable but it is not the fastest solution. Some of the containers allocate a lot of small memory blocks rather than one big block. If you really have a speed problem then you may consider making your own fixed-size list. But for many purposes STL is the standard solution.

Can we use priority queue in interviews?

In a coding interview, you usually can’t go wrong by using a binary-heap based priority queue.

Are libraries allowed in coding interviews?

During a coding interview, you can always ask if you can use such-and-such a function from the library, but generally you can as long as that doesn’t save you from actually having to solve the problem. If you’re asked to implement a sort, for example, you shouldn’t do it by calling the library sort.

Is C++ STL required for interview?

Yes. You are mainly asked questions from the background you will be working in. If you will be working with C++ , then you will be asked questions of C++and same for others.

Is C++ STL slow?

STL is usually faster at runtime than either C-style solutions with callback pointers or polymorphism-based solutions with virtual methods (see also this Bjarne Stroustrup’s keynote).

Is C++ STL important?

C++ STL provides a range of data structures that are very useful in various scenarios. A lot of data structures are based on real-life applications. It is a library of container classes, algorithms, and iterators.

For which STL We can insert remove data from anywhere?

What is a List in STL? List is a data structure that allows constant time insertion and deletion anywhere in sequence. Lists are implemented as doubly linked lists. Lists allow non-contiguous memory allocation.

Is circular queue better than linear queue?

Efficient utilization of memory: In the circular queue, there is no wastage of memory as it uses the unoccupied space, and memory is used properly in a valuable and effective manner as compared to a linear queue.

What are the disadvantages of priority queue?

The only disadvantage of using Priority Queues are that the enqueue and dequeue operations are slow and have a time complexity of O(log n).

Is priority queue a heap?

The priority queue is the queue data structure and the heap is the tree data structure that operates and organizes data. The priority queue is based on a queue data structure working as a queue with a priority function. The heap is a tree data structure uses for sorting data in a specific order using an algorithm.

Can I use sort in interview?

Using sort for a starting point to solving a problem might be okay but your optimal solution is usually going to be a linear solution to most of the coding problems that you’ll be facing in these algorithms interviews. Yes, in general.

Can I use built in functions in interview?

Originally Answered: Is it bad to use built in language features in technical interviews? It depends on how core that built-in library is to the essence of the question. Generally, you shouldn’t replace the essence of the interview question with a built-in library.