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Merge two sorted arrays in-place

Last updated: Mar 29, 2026

Quick Overview

This question evaluates proficiency in array manipulation, in-place merging concepts, and understanding of time and space complexity when combining sorted sequences. Commonly asked in the coding and algorithms domain (arrays/sorting), it tests practical implementation skills and the ability to produce efficient, low-memory solutions while handling ordering constraints and edge cases.

  • easy
  • Walmart Labs
  • Coding & Algorithms
  • Software Engineer

Merge two sorted arrays in-place

Company: Walmart Labs

Role: Software Engineer

Category: Coding & Algorithms

Difficulty: easy

Interview Round: Onsite

You are given two integer arrays sorted in non-decreasing order, and two integers `m` and `n`: - `nums1` has length `m + n`. The first `m` elements of `nums1` contain valid numbers in sorted order. The last `n` elements of `nums1` are placeholders (you can assume they are set to any values and should be ignored). - `nums2` has length `n`, and all `n` elements are valid and sorted in non-decreasing order. Write an algorithm that merges the elements of `nums2` into `nums1` so that `nums1` becomes a single sorted array containing all `m + n` elements, **in-place** (i.e., without using an additional array of size `m + n`). Return value is not required; modify `nums1` directly. ### Example Input: - `nums1 = [1, 3, 5, 0, 0, 0]`, `m = 3` - `nums2 = [2, 4, 6]`, `n = 3` After calling your function, `nums1` should become: - `nums1 = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]` ### Constraints - `0 <= m, n <= 10^5` - `len(nums1) = m + n` - `len(nums2) = n` - Arrays are already sorted in non-decreasing order. Describe the algorithm and then implement it in the language of the interviewer's choice.

Quick Answer: This question evaluates proficiency in array manipulation, in-place merging concepts, and understanding of time and space complexity when combining sorted sequences. Commonly asked in the coding and algorithms domain (arrays/sorting), it tests practical implementation skills and the ability to produce efficient, low-memory solutions while handling ordering constraints and edge cases.

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Walmart Labs
Dec 9, 2025, 12:00 AM
Software Engineer
Onsite
Coding & Algorithms
3
0

You are given two integer arrays sorted in non-decreasing order, and two integers m and n:

  • nums1 has length m + n . The first m elements of nums1 contain valid numbers in sorted order. The last n elements of nums1 are placeholders (you can assume they are set to any values and should be ignored).
  • nums2 has length n , and all n elements are valid and sorted in non-decreasing order.

Write an algorithm that merges the elements of nums2 into nums1 so that nums1 becomes a single sorted array containing all m + n elements, in-place (i.e., without using an additional array of size m + n).

Return value is not required; modify nums1 directly.

Example

Input:

  • nums1 = [1, 3, 5, 0, 0, 0] , m = 3
  • nums2 = [2, 4, 6] , n = 3

After calling your function, nums1 should become:

  • nums1 = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Constraints

  • 0 <= m, n <= 10^5
  • len(nums1) = m + n
  • len(nums2) = n
  • Arrays are already sorted in non-decreasing order.

Describe the algorithm and then implement it in the language of the interviewer's choice.

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