Why should Kadane initialize with nums[0] instead of 0?

Question

Why should Kadane initialize with nums[0] instead of 0?

Option A

Because the answer may be all elements

Option B — Correct answer

Because an all-negative array should return the largest element

Option C

Because arrays are always sorted

Option D

Because zero is always part of the input

Explanation

The problem requires a non-empty subarray, so all-negative arrays must still return the largest element.

Maximum Subarray - Kadane Pattern Practice Quiz