Valid Anagram (Leetcode 242): Brute Force → Optimal Solution in Python

How do you actually improve a coding solution? In this video, we solve the Valid Anagram problem three ways: • 🔴 Brute Force — Sort both strings and compare • 🟡 Better — Use a Hash Map to count character frequencies • 🟢 Optimal — Use a fixed-size array for O(1) extra space But the interesting part isn't just getting O(n). We’ll see why the Hash Map and fixed-array solutions are different, when the array approach is actually better, and how problem constraints can completely change the solution you should choose. ⏱️ Complexity Brute Force: O(n log n) Hash Map: O(n) time, O(k) space Fixed Array: O(n) time, O(1) space Perfect for anyone preparing for coding interviews, DSA, LeetCode, or software engineering interviews. #DSA #LeetCode #Python #CodingInterview #Algorithms #DataStructures #Programming #ValidAnagram