Cracking the Code: Leet Code 1048 - Longest String Chain (Medium) - NileshDev
Tags: leetcode, java, javascript, cpp
Published: 2023-09-23 05:48:54

**Unraveling the Mystery of Leet Code 1048**
When it comes to coding challenges, the name "**Leet Code**" might send shivers down the spines of aspiring programmers. However, the journey to becoming a proficient coder is akin to solving a thrilling mystery. Today, we're going to dive deep into the enigmatic world of [Leet Code 1048] (https://www.nileshblog.tech/leetcode-1048-longest-string-chain/), a medium-level challenge known as "Longest String Chain."
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## **What is Leet Code 1048 All About?**

Before we dive into the intricacies of this challenge, let's start with the basics. Leet Code 1048 is one of those riddles that require a combination of creativity and algorithmic thinking. The main question we're going to answer here is, "How can we find the longest string chain in a given list of words?"
Imagine you have a collection of words, and your task is to find the longest chain of words where each word is one letter different from the previous word. It's like connecting the dots in a complex puzzle. To illustrate this, let's take an example:

## **Example:**

Suppose you have the following list of words: ["a", "b", "ba", "bca", "bda", "bdca"]. In this case, the longest word chain is ["a", "ba", "bca", "bdca"], consisting of words that are one letter apart. Our job is to develop an algorithm to find and return this chain.

## **[The Algorithmic Detective Work](https://www.nileshblog.tech/leetcode-1048-longest-string-chain/#Steps_to_Solve)**

Solving [Leet Code 1048](https://www.nileshblog.tech/leetcode-1048-longest-string-chain/#Steps_to_Solve) is like being a detective. You must break down the problem, analyze the clues (or data in this case), and come up with a solution. The key to this challenge is to use dynamic programming.
Here's a simplified step-by-step guide:
**1. Sort the words by their length:**
We need to process the words from the smallest to the largest because that's how we'll find the longest chain. Think of it as arranging your puzzle pieces in the right order.
**2. Create a dictionary:**
Now, we create a dictionary to store the length of the longest chain for each word. Initially, all words have a chain length of 1 because they are, at the very least, a chain of themselves.
**3. Iterate through the words:**
For each word, we compare it with all the previous words to see if we can form a longer chain. If we find a word that can be extended, we update its chain length in the dictionary. It's like connecting puzzle pieces together.
**4. Find the maximum chain length:**
Finally, we traverse the dictionary to find the word with the maximum chain length. That word will be the starting point of our longest chain.
**Conclusion**
[Leet Code 1048. Longest String Chain] (https://www.nileshblog.tech/leetcode-1048-longest-string-chain/)" challenge, is a captivating journey into the world of coding. By breaking down the problem into smaller pieces and using dynamic programming, we can unlock the mystery of finding the longest word chain in a list of words.
So, the next time you face a coding challenge like this, remember, it's not just about writing code; it's about being a detective, solving a thrilling puzzle, and cracking the code! Happy coding!
Thank you for joining us on this coding adventure.