Return true if any value appears at least twice in the array.

Interview question: Contains Duplicate

Given an integer array `nums`, return `true` if any value appears at least twice in the array, and `false` if every element is distinct.

- We need to decide whether any value appears more than once.
- The exact duplicate value does not need to be returned, only `True` or `False`.
- An empty or fully distinct list should return `False`.

Understand the Problem

- A direct approach compares every pair of numbers.
- If any pair has the same value, we found a duplicate.
- This works, but checking all pairs takes O(n²) time.

Consider the Brute Force Idea

- A set can tell us in average O(1) time whether we have seen a number before.
- Scan the array once from left to right.
- When a number is already in the set, return `True` immediately.

Use a Set for Fast Lookups

- Keep a `seen` set.
- For each number, check membership before adding it.
- If the loop finishes, every number was distinct.

Build the Check Incrementally

- The final solution returns as soon as a duplicate is found.
- Time complexity is O(n) because each element is processed once.
- Space complexity is O(n) in the worst case for the set of seen values.