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Implement a generic tree Node class

Last updated: Mar 29, 2026

Quick Overview

This question evaluates skills in data structure and API design for mutable rooted trees, including node representation, parent/children management, iterator implementation (DFS/BFS), serialization/deserialization, cycle-safety, and time-complexity reasoning within the Coding & Algorithms domain.

  • Medium
  • Microsoft
  • Coding & Algorithms
  • Software Engineer

Implement a generic tree Node class

Company: Microsoft

Role: Software Engineer

Category: Coding & Algorithms

Difficulty: Medium

Interview Round: Onsite

Design and implement a Node class for a mutable rooted tree. Requirements: store value, parent, and ordered children; support add_child, remove, move_subtree, and replace_child in O( 1) to O(k) time where k is affected children; provide DFS and BFS iterators; compute depth, subtree size, and path-to-root with efficient updates (e.g., maintain cached sizes and invalidate/update on mutations); serialize/deserialize to and from a nested list or JSON representation; and ensure the API is safe against creating cycles. Provide method signatures, complexity analysis, and tests demonstrating the operations.

Quick Answer: This question evaluates skills in data structure and API design for mutable rooted trees, including node representation, parent/children management, iterator implementation (DFS/BFS), serialization/deserialization, cycle-safety, and time-complexity reasoning within the Coding & Algorithms domain.

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Microsoft logo
Microsoft
Aug 14, 2025, 12:00 AM
Software Engineer
Onsite
Coding & Algorithms
6
0

Design and implement a Node class for a mutable rooted tree. Requirements: store value, parent, and ordered children; support add_child, remove, move_subtree, and replace_child in O(

  1. to O(k) time where k is affected children; provide DFS and BFS iterators; compute depth, subtree size, and path-to-root with efficient updates (e.g., maintain cached sizes and invalidate/update on mutations); serialize/deserialize to and from a nested list or JSON representation; and ensure the API is safe against creating cycles. Provide method signatures, complexity analysis, and tests demonstrating the operations.

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