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Yes, one straightforward method is to sort the array first and then swap adjacent elements to enforce the wiggle pattern. However, this approach takes O(n log n) time, which is less optimal than the linear greedy solution.
Yes, Wiggle Sort and its variations are common in technical interviews at large tech companies. Interviewers often use it to evaluate understanding of greedy strategies, array manipulation, and in-place algorithms.
The optimal approach uses a greedy single-pass traversal. While iterating through the array, you swap adjacent elements whenever the current pair violates the required wiggle relationship. This ensures the pattern is maintained in O(n) time and constant space.
No special data structure is required. The problem can be solved directly using the input array and simple element swaps, making it efficient in both time and memory.