MEX (Minimum Excludant)

Bucket-array algorithm | scan | hash-set | sort | step-by-step visualization

Input array

Input cells (values; index shown above)

Algorithm

Bucket array O(n)
Hash set O(n) avg
Sort + scan O(n log n)
Compare all three
Slow Fast

Operation Log

State

Input size n 0
Bucket size 0
Marked values 0
Scan pointer -
MEX result -
Step 0

Last Operation

Load an input and press Run or Step.

Big-O

Bucket array: O(n) time, O(n) space
Hash set scan: O(n) avg, O(n) space
Sort + scan: O(n log n) time, O(1) extra
Invariant: MEX ≤ n always.

Legend

Empty bucket
Marked (present)
Currently marking
Scan pointer
MEX found
Out of range (> n)