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#98 - Validate Binary Search Tree

Problem Description

Given the root of a binary tree, determine if it is a valid binary search tree (BST).

A valid BST is defined as follows:

  • The left subtree of a node contains only nodes with keys less than the node's key.
  • The right subtree of a node contains only nodes with keys greater than the node's key.
  • Both the left and right subtrees must also be binary search trees.

Solution

/**
 * Definition for a binary tree node.
 * function TreeNode(val, left, right) {
 *     this.val = (val===undefined ? 0 : val)
 *     this.left = (left===undefined ? null : left)
 *     this.right = (right===undefined ? null : right)
 * }
 */
/**
 * @param {TreeNode} root
 * @return {boolean}
 */
var isValidBST = function(root) {
  return traverse(root, null, null);
};

function traverse(root, min, max) {
  if (!root) {
    return true;
  }

  if ((min !== null && root.val <= min) || (max !== null && root.val >= max)) {
    return false;
  }

  return traverse(root.left, min, root.val) && traverse(root.right, root.val, max);
}