Group Anagrams LeetCode 49 – Easy Explanation with Python | Coder Girl

In this tutorial, I provide a complete and beginner-friendly explanation of LeetCode Problem 49: Group Anagrams using Python. This is one of the most important HashMap-based problems in Data Structures and Algorithms and is frequently asked in coding interviews. First, I clearly explain the problem statement so you can understand what “grouping anagrams” actually means. Then, I walk you through two different approaches to solve this problem: 1️⃣ Sorting-based approach — intuitive but slightly less efficient 2️⃣ Frequency array + HashMap approach — optimal and interview-friendly After comparing both, I focus in detail on the frequency array solution, explaining: Why we use a frequency array How characters are mapped using ord(c) - ord('a') How a HashMap (defaultdict) helps in grouping anagrams Step-by-step dry run with an example Complete working Python code Time and Space Complexity analysis By the end of this video, you will not only be able to solve this problem on LeetCode but also understand the underlying logic deeply — which is essential for interviews and competitive programming. If you are preparing for FAANG interviews, placements, or improving your DSA skills, this video is a must-watch. 👉 Subscribe to Coder Girl for more LeetCode tutorials, DSA concepts, coding tricks, and student opportunities like scholarships, internships, and tech programs!