Maximum Score Of Spliced Array Solution in Java

Problem Description

The “Maximum Score Of Spliced Array” problem is akin to deciding which pizza toppings to swap with a friend who has questionable taste. The goal is to maximize your enjoyment (or score) by strategically swapping elements between two arrays, nums1 and nums2. The challenge is to find the maximum possible score after splicing these arrays together.

Imagine you have two arrays, nums1 and nums2, and you can swap elements between them. The challenge is to figure out how to do this in a way that maximizes the total score.

Code Solution


class Solution {
  public int maximumsSplicedArray(int[] nums1, int[] nums2) {
    return Math.max(kadane(nums1, nums2), kadane(nums2, nums1));
  }

  private int kadane(int[] nums1, int[] nums2) {
    int gain = 0;
    int maxGain = 0;

    for (int i = 0; i < nums1.length; ++i) {
      gain = Math.max(0, gain + nums2[i] - nums1[i]);
      maxGain = Math.max(maxGain, gain);
    }

    return maxGain + Arrays.stream(nums1).sum();
  }
}

Approach Explanation

The code employs a modified version of Kadane's algorithm to find the maximum gain from swapping elements between the two arrays. The maximumsSplicedArray method calculates the maximum score by comparing the results of swapping elements in both directions (from nums1 to nums2 and vice versa). The kadane method computes the maximum gain by iterating through the arrays and keeping track of the current gain and the maximum gain found so far.

Time and Space Complexity

Complexity Type	Complexity
Time Complexity	O(n)
Space Complexity	O(1)

Real-World Example

Imagine you and your friend at a buffet, each with different plates of food. Your friend has a delicious dessert you want, while you have broccoli they dislike. By swapping the dessert for the broccoli, both of you end up with a better meal. This illustrates the essence of the Maximum Score Of Spliced Array problem—finding the best possible swaps to maximize your score.