How to Solve Minimum Length of String After Deleting Similar Ends Leetcode Problem - Interview Coder Guide
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How to Solve Minimum Length of String After Deleting Similar Ends Problem

Master the Minimum Length of String After Deleting Similar Ends LeetCode problem with undetectable real-time assistance. Get instant solutions and explanations during your coding interviews.

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Medium#1850
LeetCode Problem

Minimum Length of String After Deleting Similar Ends

Given a string s consisting only of characters 'a', 'b', and 'c'. You are asked to apply the following algorithm on the string any number of times: Pick a non-empty prefix from the string s where all ...

Two PointersString

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Problem Breakdown

Understanding the Minimum Length of String After Deleting Similar Ends Problem

Let's break down this LeetCode problem and understand what makes it challenging in interview settings.

Problem Statement

Given a string s consisting only of characters 'a', 'b', and 'c'. You are asked to apply the following algorithm on the string any number of times: Pick a non-empty prefix from the string s where all the characters in the prefix are equal. Pick a non-empty suffix from the string s where all the characters in this suffix are equal. The prefix and the suffix should not intersect at any index. The characters from the prefix and suffix must be the same. Delete both the prefix and the suffix. Return the minimum length of s after performing the above operation any number of times (possibly zero times).

MediumProblem #1850
LeetCode

Minimum Length of String After Deleting Similar Ends

Related Topics
Two PointersString
How Interview Coder Helps

Get real-time assistance for Minimum Length of String After Deleting Similar Ends problems during coding interviews. Interview Coder provides instant solutions and explanations.

Examples

Example 1
INPUT
s = "ca"
OUTPUT
2
EXPLANATION

You can't remove any characters, so the string stays as is.

Example 2
INPUT
s = "cabaabac"
OUTPUT
0
EXPLANATION

An optimal sequence of operations is: - Take prefix = "c" and suffix = "c" and remove them, s = "abaaba". - Take prefix = "a" and suffix = "a" and remove them, s = "baab". - Take prefix = "b" and suffix = "b" and remove them, s = "aa". - Take prefix = "a" and suffix = "a" and remove them, s = "".

Example 3
INPUT
s = "aabccabba"
OUTPUT
3
EXPLANATION

An optimal sequence of operations is: - Take prefix = "aa" and suffix = "a" and remove them, s = "bccabb". - Take prefix = "b" and suffix = "bb" and remove them, s = "cca".

Constraints

1 <= s.length <= 105
s only consists of characters 'a', 'b', and 'c'.

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