learn-co-students/postgrad-challenge-largest-subarray-sum-onl01-seng-pt-081720

Largest Subarray Sum

Problem

Given an array of integers find a sequence with the largest sum.

Take a look at an example:

let array = [1, -1, 5, 3, -7, 4, 5, 6, -100, 4]

function largestSubarraySum(array){
 // code to write here
}

largestSubarraySum(array)
// 16

The largest subarray in this example is [5, 3, -7, 4, 5, 6], and its sum is 5 + 3 - 7 + 4 + 5 + 6 = 16

Process

Run yarn install or npm install to get started.

Write your largestSubarraySum function in index.js.

You can test your solution by running yarn test or npm run test (depending on whether you have yarn or npm installed).

This problem is hard, but it has many different solutions.

Use it as a mechanism to focus on process. Think about this problem as a practice in breaking down problems, and knowing when to retreat from a potential solution. Remember.

A couple of leading questions that might help you get started:

• What are some examples of input arrays where the solution becomes obvious? What can you learn from those obvious cases?
• What would a naive solution look like, that tested every possible combination?

Challenge - Time Complexity

After you've implemented a basic solution, consider how many operations it will use to find an answer, based on the size of the input array. If you can, write down the Big O time complexity of your solution.

How could you make your solution faster? Try to improve your solution's runtime, or explain why you think your solution is as fast as possible.