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The Sliding Window technique is a commonly used algorithmic approach for solving problems involving arrays or lists where the solution depends on a contiguous subarray. Instead of recalculating values for each subarray from scratch, it slides a fixed-size window over the array, updating results as the window moves.
Time Complexity:
O(n) (each element is processed once as the window slides)
Space Complexity:
O(1) (for fixed window size) or O(k) (if storing elements, where k is the window size)
This technique is efficient for solving problems like finding the maximum sum of a subarray, checking for specific patterns, or finding an optimal solution for windowed constraints. It reduces unnecessary recomputation by maintaining a running result as the window moves.