Are built-in language methods O(1)?
Often no. Methods like array.splice(), string.indexOf(), or list.contains() execute hidden O(N) traversal loops under the hood.
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More FAQs in How to Calculate Time Complexity in an Interview
Identify all loops. Add sequential loops together. Multiply nested loops. Expose the complexity of built-in methods, and drop non-dominant terms and constants.
It is O(N) + O(N^2). Since N^2 is the dominant term that scales the fastest, the final time complexity is strictly O(N^2).
No, Big O calculates the worst-case scenario. Even if an if-statement breaks the loop on the first try, the algorithm is still classified as O(N).
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