Representative Sliding Window problems
Find the length of the longest substring without repeating characters using a sliding window and hash map to track state efficiently.
Open problem page#30 Substring with Concatenation of All WordsFind all starting indices of substrings in a string that are concatenations of a given list of words.
Open problem page#76 Minimum Window SubstringFind the smallest substring of s containing all characters from t using a sliding window with running state updates for exact matches.
Open problem page#187 Repeated DNA SequencesSolve Repeated DNA Sequences by sliding a length-10 window and tracking seen patterns with a hash set or bitmask.
Open problem page#209 Minimum Size Subarray SumFind the minimal length of a subarray whose sum is greater than or equal to the target using efficient algorithms.
Open problem page#219 Contains Duplicate IICheck if any two equal numbers exist within k indices using array scanning and hash table lookup efficiently.
Open problem page#220 Contains Duplicate IIIThe problem involves finding a pair of indices in an array where the index and value differences are within given limits.
Open problem page#239 Sliding Window MaximumSolve the "Sliding Window Maximum" problem using efficient techniques like the sliding window, deque, and priority queues.
Open problem page#395 Longest Substring with At Least K Repeating CharactersFind the length of the longest substring where every character appears at least k times using sliding window and divide-and-conquer patterns.
Open problem pageSliding Window interview questions usually collapse into a small set of repeatable moves. This page groups those GhostInterview problem pages together so you can stay inside one pattern family, compare representative questions, and practice explanations that transfer across multiple prompts. If you are trying to sharpen one interview weakness instead of browsing the entire library, start here.
Why Sliding Window Matters In Coding Interviews
Interviewers rarely care about the label alone. They care about whether you can recognize when the Sliding Window pattern applies, explain why it applies, and avoid the failure modes that usually show up under time pressure. That is why this page focuses on the family of problems rather than a single isolated example.
Pattern families that show up here
- Sliding window with running state updates
- Array scanning plus hash lookup
- Binary search over the valid answer space
Use this page to narrow the session
Start from this topic hub, choose one or two representative problems, and then open the detailed problem pages only after you know which version of the pattern you want to reinforce.
How To Practice This Topic
The best workflow is to keep the prep block narrow. Pick one easy or medium problem to confirm the base pattern, then one medium or hard problem to test whether the explanation still holds when the constraints tighten. Once the logic is stable, move into GhostInterview to rehearse the live explanation flow.
Focus on transfer, not title count
Solving more Sliding Window titles is less useful than understanding how the same move changes across examples. Try to describe what stays the same and what changes from one problem to the next.
Use the problem page when you want the exact breakdown
This topic hub is the discovery layer. The single-problem pages are where you get the answer-first summary, examples, constraints, approach, complexity, pitfalls, and solver CTA.
How GhostInterview Fits
GhostInterview works best after you know which pattern family you are inside. Use this page to choose the right Sliding Window problem, then use the solver to get the answer path, complexity framing, and follow-up support without switching into a generic study flow.
FAQ
What does the Sliding Window topic usually test in interviews?
Sliding Window questions usually test whether you can spot the underlying pattern quickly, explain the trade-offs, and move from intuition to implementation without losing clarity.
How should I use this Sliding Window topic page?
Use it as a pattern hub. Start with the representative problems on this page, compare the common approach, and then open the exact problem page when you want the full breakdown.
How many GhostInterview problem pages are in the Sliding Window group?
This topic page currently groups 133 indexed GhostInterview problem pages under the Sliding Window family.
Should I practice this topic before harder patterns?
That depends on your current gaps. If Sliding Window is already a weak spot in interviews, it is usually better to stabilize it first before moving into more advanced or less frequent patterns.
Where does GhostInterview fit once I pick a Sliding Window problem?
The topic page narrows the pattern family. The problem page gives the exact breakdown. GhostInterview is the solver layer when you need direct help with execution, complexity, and follow-up handling.
Stay close to the same reasoning family
Need direct help once you choose a Sliding Window problem?
Use GhostInterview as the solver layer after you select the exact prompt. Capture the question, get the answer path and complexity framing, and keep the workflow inside the same topic family.