What are the best algorithms to solve the Two Sum problem?

What are the best algorithms to solve the Two Sum problem?

The Two Sum problem can be solved using various algorithms. The most common ones are the brute force approach, the hash map approach, and the two-pointer technique. Would you like a detailed comparison?

Yes, please compare the brute force and hash map approaches.

The brute force approach has a time complexity of O(n^2) as it checks all pairs, while the hash map approach has a time complexity of O(n) since it uses a hash table to store and lookup values efficiently. The hash map is generally preferred for larger datasets.

What about the two-pointer technique?

The two-pointer technique is effective when the input array is sorted. It has a time complexity of O(n) as well, but requires sorting the array first, which adds O(n log n) to the overall complexity. It's less efficient than the hash map approach for unsorted arrays.

Which algorithm would you recommend for a large dataset?

For large datasets, I recommend using the hash map approach due to its linear time complexity and efficiency in lookups.