LeetCode #2326 — MEDIUM

Spiral Matrix IV

Move from brute-force thinking to an efficient approach using array strategy.

Solve on LeetCode
The Problem

Problem Statement

You are given two integers m and n, which represent the dimensions of a matrix.

You are also given the head of a linked list of integers.

Generate an m x n matrix that contains the integers in the linked list presented in spiral order (clockwise), starting from the top-left of the matrix. If there are remaining empty spaces, fill them with -1.

Return the generated matrix.

Example 1:

Input: m = 3, n = 5, head = [3,0,2,6,8,1,7,9,4,2,5,5,0]
Output: [[3,0,2,6,8],[5,0,-1,-1,1],[5,2,4,9,7]]
Explanation: The diagram above shows how the values are printed in the matrix.
Note that the remaining spaces in the matrix are filled with -1.

Example 2:

Input: m = 1, n = 4, head = [0,1,2]
Output: [[0,1,2,-1]]
Explanation: The diagram above shows how the values are printed from left to right in the matrix.
The last space in the matrix is set to -1.

Constraints:

  • 1 <= m, n <= 105
  • 1 <= m * n <= 105
  • The number of nodes in the list is in the range [1, m * n].
  • 0 <= Node.val <= 1000
Patterns Used

Roadmap

  1. Brute Force Baseline
  2. Core Insight
  3. Algorithm Walkthrough
  4. Edge Cases
  5. Full Annotated Code
  6. Interactive Study Demo
  7. Complexity Analysis
Step 01

Brute Force Baseline

Problem summary: You are given two integers m and n, which represent the dimensions of a matrix. You are also given the head of a linked list of integers. Generate an m x n matrix that contains the integers in the linked list presented in spiral order (clockwise), starting from the top-left of the matrix. If there are remaining empty spaces, fill them with -1. Return the generated matrix.

Baseline thinking

Start with the most direct exhaustive search. That gives a correctness anchor before optimizing.

Pattern signal: Array · Linked List

Example 1

3
5
[3,0,2,6,8,1,7,9,4,2,5,5,0]

Example 2

1
4
[0,1,2]

Related Problems

  • Spiral Matrix (spiral-matrix)
  • Spiral Matrix II (spiral-matrix-ii)
  • Spiral Matrix III (spiral-matrix-iii)
Step 02

Core Insight

What unlocks the optimal approach

  • First, generate an m x n matrix filled with -1s.
  • Navigate within the matrix at (i, j) with the help of a direction vector ⟨di, dj⟩. At (i, j), you need to decide if you can keep going in the current direction.
  • If you cannot keep going, rotate the direction vector clockwise by 90 degrees.
Interview move: turn each hint into an invariant you can check after every iteration/recursion step.
Step 03

Algorithm Walkthrough

Iteration Checklist

  1. Define state (indices, window, stack, map, DP cell, or recursion frame).
  2. Apply one transition step and update the invariant.
  3. Record answer candidate when condition is met.
  4. Continue until all input is consumed.
Use the first example testcase as your mental trace to verify each transition.
Step 04

Edge Cases

Minimum Input
Single element / shortest valid input
Validate boundary behavior before entering the main loop or recursion.
Duplicates & Repeats
Repeated values / repeated states
Decide whether duplicates should be merged, skipped, or counted explicitly.
Extreme Constraints
Upper-end input sizes
Re-check complexity target against constraints to avoid time-limit issues.
Invalid / Corner Shape
Empty collections, zeros, or disconnected structures
Handle special-case structure before the core algorithm path.
Step 05

Full Annotated Code

Source-backed implementations are provided below for direct study and interview prep.

// Accepted solution for LeetCode #2326: Spiral Matrix IV
/**
 * 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 int[][] spiralMatrix(int m, int n, ListNode head) {
        int[][] ans = new int[m][n];
        for (var row : ans) {
            Arrays.fill(row, -1);
        }
        int i = 0, j = 0, k = 0;
        final int[] dirs = {0, 1, 0, -1, 0};
        while (true) {
            ans[i][j] = head.val;
            head = head.next;
            if (head == null) {
                break;
            }
            while (true) {
                int x = i + dirs[k], y = j + dirs[k + 1];
                if (x >= 0 && x < m && y >= 0 && y < n && ans[x][y] == -1) {
                    i = x;
                    j = y;
                    break;
                }
                k = (k + 1) % 4;
            }
        }
        return ans;
    }
}
Step 06

Interactive Study Demo

Use this to step through a reusable interview workflow for this problem.

Press Step or Run All to begin.
Step 07

Complexity Analysis

Time
O(m × n)
Space
O(m × n)

Approach Breakdown

COPY TO ARRAY
O(n) time
O(n) space

Copy all n nodes into an array (O(n) time and space), then use array indexing for random access. Operations like reversal or middle-finding become trivial with indices, but the O(n) extra space defeats the purpose of using a linked list.

IN-PLACE POINTERS
O(n) time
O(1) space

Most linked list operations traverse the list once (O(n)) and re-wire pointers in-place (O(1) extra space). The brute force often copies nodes to an array to enable random access, costing O(n) space. In-place pointer manipulation eliminates that.

Shortcut: Traverse once + re-wire pointers → O(n) time, O(1) space. Dummy head nodes simplify edge cases.
Coach Notes

Common Mistakes

Review these before coding to avoid predictable interview regressions.

Off-by-one on range boundaries

Wrong move: Loop endpoints miss first/last candidate.

Usually fails on: Fails on minimal arrays and exact-boundary answers.

Fix: Re-derive loops from inclusive/exclusive ranges before coding.

Losing head/tail while rewiring

Wrong move: Pointer updates overwrite references before they are saved.

Usually fails on: List becomes disconnected mid-operation.

Fix: Store next pointers first and use a dummy head for safer joins.