To tackle this issue, I suggest the following approach.
Begin by outlining how you believe the problem can be resolved IN ENGLISH, or a similar language (or your mother tongue of course!). Document each step. Start with a general overview, like:
Determine the frequency of each element in the input.
Identify the highest frequency.
and so forth. It is crucial at this stage not to get caught up in implementation specifics. Your solution should be adaptable to nearly any programming language.
Subsequently, elaborate on each step by including substeps. For example, you could write:
Identify the highest frequency.
a. Assume the highest frequency is zero.
b. Evaluate each frequency. If it exceeds the current highest frequency, update it as the new highest frequency.
Validate your algorithm by mentally executing it yourself.
Then, transform what you have documented into what is often referred to as pseudo-code. At this point, our algorithm begins to resemble a basic computer program, yet remains easily comprehensible to humans. We can now utilize variables to symbolize elements. For instance, we may write "max_freq ← cur_freq". We can mention arrays and compose loops.
Lastly, convert your pseudo-code into JS. If all goes smoothly, it should function correctly from the start!
In recent times, many individuals are diving straight into JavaScript without understanding how to analyze algorithms, even elementary ones. They mistakenly believe that they must have the ability to conjure JS effortlessly, as if speaking in tongues. However, proficient programmers do not immediately resort to writing array.reduce
upon encountering a problem; they always go through the process--even if only mentally--of considering the approach to the problem, a practice worth emulating.
If you fail to master this skill, you will spend your entire career turning to sites like SO whenever you struggle to comprehend a problem.