Code Room
CodingMediumcod-g659
Subject Sorting variantsLevel Mid–Senior~30 minCommon in Algorithms & data structures interviewsIndustries Software development

Question

Given an integer array `nums`, reorder it in place so that nums[0] < nums[1] > nums[2] < nums[3] ... (strict alternation). It is guaranteed a valid arrangement exists. Return the reordered array. A correct, simpler-to-reason approach: sort a copy, then fill the odd indices from the largest values downward and the even indices from the remaining values downward (interleaving the two halves so equal medians never sit adjacent). Length up to 5*10^4.

Implement
wiggle_sort(nums: list[int]) → list[int]
Examples
in[[1,5,1,1,6,4]]out[1,6,1,5,1,4]
What a strong answer looks like

State your approach and its time/space complexity out loud before you optimize. Handle the edge cases (empty input, duplicates, overflow), and say why you chose this over the brute force. Green tests are the floor, not the grade.

Vibe coding: describe the solution in plain language (or narrate it) and the coach grades your approach. Generating runnable code from your description is coming next.

Run or narrate your approach, then ask the coach.