Z Function

Short summary

The Z Algorithm finds all pattern occurrences in linear time O(N) by maintaining a Z-Box range to reuse previous computations and avoid redundant character comparisons. Reduces complexity from naive O(N²) approach through intelligent caching of substring matches against the prefix. Tutorial includes intuition, walkthrough, and Java implementation with interview prep summary.

• •Z Algorithm achieves linear-time pattern matching by caching a Z-Box range of known prefix matches
• •Avoids redundant comparisons by reusing previously computed values at mirrored indices
• •Practical for text search using pattern-plus-separator technique; includes working Java code

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