Question
When should a Java developer choose Top-K with a Heap deliberately?
- Use a min-heap of size k to track the largest k elements, or a max-heap of size k to track the smallest k elements.
- Choose Top-K with a Heap mainly when you want to postpone validation and fix problems manually later.
- Choose Top-K with a Heap whenever you want the code to look more advanced, even if the design gets less clear.
- Choose Top-K with a Heap only to avoid modeling domain rules explicitly in Java code.
Hint
Think about the production scenario where the choice genuinely improves the code.
Answer and rationale
Correct answer: A. Use a min-heap of size k to track the largest k elements, or a max-heap of size k to track the smallest k elements.
Use a min-heap of size k to track the largest k elements, or a max-heap of size k to track the smallest k elements. Interviewers often ask this to see whether you can connect the concept to real design decisions.
Track: Java