OOP & Design Patterns - Prototype Pattern - Deep Copy vs Shallow Copy
What is the additional space complexity required when performing a deep copy on an object with nested collections of total size n?
What is the additional space complexity required when performing a deep copy on an object with nested collections of total size n?
medium🪤 Complexity Trap Q6 of Q15
Step-by-Step Solution
Solution:
Step 1: Identify auxiliary space usage
Deep copy requires space for new nested objects proportional to O(n) and recursion call stack proportional to depth h, but total additional space is dominated by O(n).Step 2: Clarify recursion stack space
Recursion stack space is at most O(n) in worst case, so overall additional space is O(n).Final Answer:
Option B -> Option BQuick Check:
Additional space proportional to size of copied objects -> [OK]
Quick Trick: Additional space includes new objects and recursion stack -> O(n) [OK]
Common Mistakes:
MISTAKES- Ignoring recursion stack space
- Assuming only new objects consume space
Trap Explanation:
PITFALL- Candidates underestimate total auxiliary space by ignoring recursion stack.
Interviewer Note:
CONTEXT- Tests understanding of space complexity including recursion overhead.
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