LeetCode #2365 — MEDIUM

Task Scheduler II

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

Solve on LeetCode
The Problem

Problem Statement

You are given a 0-indexed array of positive integers tasks, representing tasks that need to be completed in order, where tasks[i] represents the type of the ith task.

You are also given a positive integer space, which represents the minimum number of days that must pass after the completion of a task before another task of the same type can be performed.

Each day, until all tasks have been completed, you must either:

  • Complete the next task from tasks, or
  • Take a break.

Return the minimum number of days needed to complete all tasks.

Example 1:

Input: tasks = [1,2,1,2,3,1], space = 3
Output: 9
Explanation:
One way to complete all tasks in 9 days is as follows:
Day 1: Complete the 0th task.
Day 2: Complete the 1st task.
Day 3: Take a break.
Day 4: Take a break.
Day 5: Complete the 2nd task.
Day 6: Complete the 3rd task.
Day 7: Take a break.
Day 8: Complete the 4th task.
Day 9: Complete the 5th task.
It can be shown that the tasks cannot be completed in less than 9 days.

Example 2:

Input: tasks = [5,8,8,5], space = 2
Output: 6
Explanation:
One way to complete all tasks in 6 days is as follows:
Day 1: Complete the 0th task.
Day 2: Complete the 1st task.
Day 3: Take a break.
Day 4: Take a break.
Day 5: Complete the 2nd task.
Day 6: Complete the 3rd task.
It can be shown that the tasks cannot be completed in less than 6 days.

Constraints:

  • 1 <= tasks.length <= 105
  • 1 <= tasks[i] <= 109
  • 1 <= space <= tasks.length

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 a 0-indexed array of positive integers tasks, representing tasks that need to be completed in order, where tasks[i] represents the type of the ith task. You are also given a positive integer space, which represents the minimum number of days that must pass after the completion of a task before another task of the same type can be performed. Each day, until all tasks have been completed, you must either: Complete the next task from tasks, or Take a break. Return the minimum number of days needed to complete all tasks.

Baseline thinking

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

Pattern signal: Array · Hash Map

Example 1

[1,2,1,2,3,1]
3

Example 2

[5,8,8,5]
2

Related Problems

  • Task Scheduler (task-scheduler)
  • Maximize Distance to Closest Person (maximize-distance-to-closest-person)
  • Check If All 1's Are at Least Length K Places Away (check-if-all-1s-are-at-least-length-k-places-away)
Step 02

Core Insight

What unlocks the optimal approach

  • Try taking breaks as late as possible, such that tasks are still spaced appropriately.
  • Whenever considering whether to complete the next task, if it is not the first task of its type, check how many days ago the previous task was completed and add an appropriate number of breaks.
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 #2365: Task Scheduler II
class Solution {
    public long taskSchedulerII(int[] tasks, int space) {
        Map<Integer, Long> day = new HashMap<>();
        long ans = 0;
        for (int task : tasks) {
            ++ans;
            ans = Math.max(ans, day.getOrDefault(task, 0L));
            day.put(task, ans + space + 1);
        }
        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(n)
Space
O(n)

Approach Breakdown

BRUTE FORCE
O(n²) time
O(1) space

Two nested loops check every pair or subarray. The outer loop fixes a starting point, the inner loop extends or searches. For n elements this gives up to n²/2 operations. No extra space, but the quadratic time is prohibitive for large inputs.

OPTIMIZED
O(n) time
O(1) space

Most array problems have an O(n²) brute force (nested loops) and an O(n) optimal (single pass with clever state tracking). The key is identifying what information to maintain as you scan: a running max, a prefix sum, a hash map of seen values, or two pointers.

Shortcut: If you are using nested loops on an array, there is almost always an O(n) solution. Look for the right auxiliary state.
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.

Mutating counts without cleanup

Wrong move: Zero-count keys stay in map and break distinct/count constraints.

Usually fails on: Window/map size checks are consistently off by one.

Fix: Delete keys when count reaches zero.