Roadmap › Stage 4: Stacks › Pattern 17 of 53
DSA pattern guide

Stack — Design

Build a queue from stacks, min-stack, extra operations in O(1).

Stage 4 · Stacks4 problems2 Easy · 2 Medium

Use it when

Build a queue from stacks, min-stack, extra operations in O(1).

Key idea

Use a second stack (or store extra info per element) so each operation stays amortized O(1).

Practice problems, in order

  1. Implement Queue using StacksEasy
  2. Implement Stack using QueuesEasy
  3. Min StackMedium
  4. Design Stack with Increment OperationMedium

How to practise this pattern

  1. Read the problem and look for the signal above before writing any code.
  2. Say the brute force out loud, with its time complexity, then ask what work it repeats.
  3. Apply the key idea and write the optimised version yourself.
  4. If you're stuck for more than 10 minutes, take one small hint, not the full solution.
  5. Move to the next problem only when you can explain why this pattern fits.

Stuck on one of these?

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