Remove Nth Node From End of List

Problem

Given the head of a linked list, remove the nth node from the end of the list and return its head.

Example 1:

Input: head = [1,2,3,4,5], n = 2
Output: [1,2,3,5]

Example 2:

Input: head = [1], n = 1
Output: []

Example 3:

Input: head = [1,2], n = 1
Output: [1]

Constraints:

  • The number of nodes in the list is sz.
  • 1 <= sz <= 30
  • 0 <= Node.val <= 100
  • 1 <= n <= sz

Follow up: Could you do this in one pass?

Solution

This problem was a bit difficult for me.

/**
 * Definition for singly-linked list.
 * public class ListNode {
 *     int val;
 *     ListNode next;
 *     ListNode() {}
 *     ListNode(int val) { this.val = val; }
 *     ListNode(int val, ListNode next) { this.val = val; this.next = next; }
 * }
 */
class Solution {
    public ListNode removeNthFromEnd(ListNode head, int n) {
        var fast = head;
        ListNode slow = null;
        var i = 0;

        while (fast != null) {
            i += 1;
            fast = fast.next;
            if (i > n) {
                if (slow == null) {
                    slow = head;
                } else {
                    slow = slow.next;
                }
            }
        }

        if (slow == null) {
            return head.next;
        }

        if (slow.next.next == null) {
            slow.next = null;
        } else {
            slow.next.val = slow.next.next.val;
            slow.next.next = slow.next.next.next;
        }

        return head;
    }
}

Recent posts from blogs that I like

Painting Pandora and her box: 1883-1919

Suddenly popular in paintings from around 1880, the story of Pandora and her box brought many interpretations, and remains a story of our time.

via The Eclectic Light Company

some things I've learned about dealing with people

:)

via bookbear express

DeepSeek V4 - almost on the frontier, a fraction of the price

via Simon Willison