16. 3Sum Closest (JAVA)

Given an array nums of n integers and an integer target, find three integers in nums such that the sum is closest to target. Return the sum of the three integers. You may assume that each input would have exactly one solution.

Example:

Given array nums = [-1, 2, 1, -4], and target = 1.

The sum that is closest to the target is 2. (-1 + 2 + 1 = 2).

class Solution {
    public int threeSumClosest(int[] nums, int target) {
        if(nums.length<3) return 0;

        int sum;
        int ret=nums[0]+nums[1]+nums[2]; //initialize return value
        int len = nums.length-2;
        int left; //point to the left side of the array
        int right; //point to the right side of the array
        
        Arrays.sort(nums);
        
        for(int i = 0; i < len; i++){
            left = i+1;
            right = len+1;
            
            while(left < right){
                sum = nums[i] + nums[left] + nums[right];
                if(sum > target){
                    right--;
                }
                else if(sum < target){
                    left++;
                }
                else{
                    return target;
                }
                
                if(Math.abs(target - sum) < Math.abs(target - ret)) ret = sum;
            }
            
            //skip repeated digital
            while(nums[i] == nums[i+1]) {
                if(i+1 >= len) break;
                i++; 
            }
        }
        return ret;
    }
}