Clarifying the Problem 12
Trade-offs & Constraints 9
Thinking Aloud 9
Closing & Summary 9
Set scope, confirm inputs, and earn time to think before coding.
Clarifying the Problem clarification Technical Interview
Before I jump into the solution, I'd like to clarify the scope and constraints.
Chinese translation
在开始解题之前，我想先明确一下范围和约束条件。
Usage
面试最常用的开场白之一。拿到题不要急着写代码，先用这就话争取时间思考，同时展示你严谨的工程思维。
Reusable pattern
Before I {action}, I'd like to clarify {topic}.
Usage notes: 语气礼貌且专业，表明你不会鲁莽行事。
Slots
action
接下来的动作
jump into the solution start coding design the schema
topic
需要确认的内容
the scope and constraints a few edge cases the input format
Variants
Can I ask a few clarifying questions before we start?
更直接的提问方式，适合互动性强的面试官。
I want to make sure I understand the requirements fully before diving in.
更侧重于表达“我想把事情做对”的态度。
Clarifying the Problem clarification Technical Interview
Are we optimizing primarily for latency, or should we focus more on throughput?
Chinese translation
我们要优先优化延迟，还是更应该关注吞吐量？
Usage
在系统设计中确认核心指标（KPI）的关键句。这表明你懂得系统设计往往是多目标的权衡，而不是单向优化。
Reusable pattern
Are we optimizing primarily for {metric_a}, or should we focus more on {metric_b}?
Usage notes: 二选一的问法能帮面试官快速缩小范围，同时也展示了你的专业度。
Slots
metric_a
第一个指标
latency read availability consistency
metric_b
第二个指标
throughput write speed availability
Variants
Which metric is more critical here: latency or throughput?
更简洁，直奔主题。
Should I prioritize user experience (low latency) or system capacity (high throughput)?
带具体业务含义的问法，显得更懂产品。
Clarifying the Problem clarification Technical Interview
Just to double-check, can I assume the input fits entirely in memory?
Chinese translation
我确认一下，我可以假设输入数据能全部装入内存吗？
Usage
算法题必问。如果数据量大到无法装入内存，解法会完全不同（如外部排序）。这能防止你走错方向。
Reusable pattern
Just to double-check, can I assume {assumption}?
Usage notes: 用 'double-check' 显得很细心，而不是不知道。
Slots
assumption
你的假设条件
the input fits entirely in memory the array is sorted keys are unique
Variants
Is it safe to assume the dataset is small enough for RAM?
用 RAM 替代 memory，更口语化、技术化。
Do we need to handle cases where the data exceeds available memory?
反向提问，询问是否需要处理超出内存的情况。
Clarifying the Problem clarification Technical Interview
Could you provide an example of the input and expected output?
Chinese translation
能不能给我一个输入和预期输出的例子？
Usage
当你对题目描述感到模糊时，直接要例子是最高效的。例子比文字描述更难产生歧义。
Reusable pattern
Could you provide an example of {content}?
Usage notes: 礼貌且实用，避免自己瞎猜。
Slots
content
想要例子的部分
the input and expected output an edge case a typical user flow
Variants
Can we walk through a concrete example together?
邀请面试官一起过例子，增加互动感。
It would help to see a sample input/output pair.
陈述句表达需求，稍微更自信一点。
Clarifying the Problem clarification Technical Interview
How should the system handle duplicate requests or invalid data?
Chinese translation
系统应该如何处理重复请求或无效数据？
Usage
询问异常处理（Error Handling）和幂等性（Idempotency）。这表明你考虑到了Happy Path之外的情况。
Reusable pattern
How should the system handle {edge_case}?
Usage notes: 针对具体异常场景提问，显得经验丰富。
Slots
edge_case
异常或边界情况
duplicate requests invalid data network timeouts
Variants
What is the expected behavior for malformed inputs?
用 'malformed inputs' 显得更专业。
Should we just drop duplicates, or return an error?
给出选项让面试官选，展示你已经思考过解决方案。
Clarifying the Problem clarification Technical Interview
Is there a strict limit on the scale, like the number of concurrent users?
Chinese translation
对于规模有没有严格限制，比如并发用户数？
Usage
系统设计中确认QPS/DAU等量级。量级决定架构，问清楚是为了避免“杀鸡用牛刀”或“小马拉大车”。
Reusable pattern
Is there a strict limit on {metric}, like {example}?
Usage notes: 先问有没有限制，再给个例子引导面试官回答。
Slots
metric
限制指标
the scale latency storage
example
具体例子
the number of concurrent users 200ms response time 5 years of data retention
Variants
What scale are we targeting in terms of DAU or QPS?
直接用 DAU/QPS 术语，适合面后端/架构。
Do we need to design for millions of users from day one?
更场景化的问法，探究扩展性需求。
Clarifying the Problem clarification Technical Interview
Should I focus on implementing the core logic first and ignore the UI details?
Chinese translation
我应该先专注于实现核心逻辑，暂时忽略界面细节吗？
Usage
前端或全栈面试常用。确认优先级，避免在CSS或布局上浪费宝贵的编码时间。
Reusable pattern
Should I focus on {task_a} first and ignore {task_b}?
Usage notes: 主动管理时间，展示你懂 MVP（最小可行性产品）思维。
Slots
task_a
首要任务
implementing the core logic getting the API working the happy path
task_b
次要任务
the UI details error handling for now styling
Variants
I'll stick to a basic UI to focus on the functionality, does that sound good?
提出方案并征求同意，比纯提问更主动。
Can we assume the frontend components are already available?
假设资源已就位，专注于拼装逻辑。
Clarifying the Problem clarification Technical Interview
Are we allowed to use external libraries, or should I implement this from scratch?
Chinese translation
我们允许使用外部库吗，还是我应该从头实现这个功能？
Usage
避免因为用了 `sort()` 或 `Counter` 而被判违规；也避免因为不用库而显得效率低。
Reusable pattern
Are we allowed to use {tool}, or should I {alternative}?
Usage notes: 展示你知道这两种途径的区别，把选择权给面试官。
Slots
tool
工具/库
external libraries built-in sorting functions Standard Template Library
alternative
替代方案
implement this from scratch write my own comparator build a custom parser
Variants
Is it okay to use the standard library's sort function here?
针对具体函数的询问，更常见。
Do you prefer a custom implementation or leveraging existing tools?
用 'leveraging' 显得更书面、高级一点。
Clarifying the Problem clarification Technical Interview
Do we need to support internationalization, or is English sufficient for now?
Chinese translation
我们需要支持国际化吗，还是目前只支持英语就够了？
Usage
产品设计或前端面试中常见的范围界定。这显示了你对全球化产品的思考，即使答案是“否”，问了也加分。
Reusable pattern
Do we need to support {feature}, or is {simplification} sufficient?
Usage notes: 典型的 Scope 确认，防止过度设计。
Slots
feature
高级特性
internationalization real-time updates dark mode
simplification
简化方案
English polling light theme
Variants
Are we targeting a global audience or just a specific region?
从用户群角度提问，格局更大。
Can we treat strings as ASCII, or do we need Unicode support?
更底层的技术问法，适合算法题。
Clarifying the Problem clarification Technical Interview
Does the order of elements in the output matter?
Chinese translation
输出结果中元素的顺序重要吗？
Usage
算法题常见坑点。如果顺序不重要，可以用 Set 或 Hash Map，效率更高；如果重要，可能得用 Array 或 Linked List。
Reusable pattern
Does the {property} of {subject} matter?
Usage notes: 简单直接，但这直接影响数据结构的选择。
Slots
property
属性
order case sensitivity uniqueness
subject
对象
elements in the output keys in the map the input strings
Variants
Do I need to preserve the original relative order?
专门问“相对顺序”，通常指稳定性（stability）。
Can the result be returned in any order?
最简单的问法，yes/no question。
Clarifying the Problem clarification Technical Interview
Before I start, I assume the input array is not sorted, correct?
Chinese translation
开始之前，我假设输入数组是未排序的，对吗？
Usage
排序与否是算法选择的分水岭。已排序可以用二分查找(log n)，未排序可能至少需要 O(n)。
Reusable pattern
Before I start, I assume {condition}, correct?
Usage notes: 与其问“是排序的吗”，不如说“我假设是...对吗”，展示你有预判。
Slots
condition
条件假设
the input array is not sorted the graph is connected ids are positive integers
Variants
Is the input guaranteed to be sorted?
直接询问保证（guarantee），语气稍强。
Can I rely on the data being pre-sorted?
用 'rely on' 表达依赖关系。
Clarifying the Problem clarification Technical Interview
Should we optimize for write-heavy or read-heavy traffic patterns?
Chinese translation
我们应该针对写多读少，还是读多写少的流量模式进行优化？
Usage
数据库选型和缓存策略的核心依据。Read-heavy 适合缓存、读写分离；Write-heavy 适合分片、LSM树数据库。
Reusable pattern
Should we optimize for {pattern_a} or {pattern_b} traffic patterns?
Usage notes: 展示你知道不同流量模式对应不同架构。
Slots
pattern_a
模式A
write-heavy bursty real-time
pattern_b
模式B
read-heavy consistent batch
Variants
Is the system more read-intensive or write-intensive?
用 intensive 替代 heavy，更专业。
What's the expected read-to-write ratio?
询问具体比例，更量化。