How to Solve Minimum Time to Type Word Using Special Typewriter Leetcode Problem - Interview Coder Guide
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How to Solve Minimum Time to Type Word Using Special Typewriter Problem

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Easy#2088
LeetCode Problem

Minimum Time to Type Word Using Special Typewriter

There is a special typewriter with lowercase English letters 'a' to 'z' arranged in a circle with a pointer. A character can only be typed if the pointer is pointing to that character. The pointer is ...

StringGreedy

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Problem Breakdown

Understanding the Minimum Time to Type Word Using Special Typewriter Problem

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

Problem Statement

There is a special typewriter with lowercase English letters 'a' to 'z' arranged in a circle with a pointer. A character can only be typed if the pointer is pointing to that character. The pointer is initially pointing to the character 'a'. Each second, you may perform one of the following operations: Move the pointer one character counterclockwise or clockwise. Type the character the pointer is currently on. Given a string word, return the minimum number of seconds to type out the characters in word.

EasyProblem #2088
LeetCode

Minimum Time to Type Word Using Special Typewriter

Related Topics
StringGreedy
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Examples

Example 1
INPUT
word = "abc"
OUTPUT
5
EXPLANATION

The characters are printed as follows: - Type the character 'a' in 1 second since the pointer is initially on 'a'. - Move the pointer clockwise to 'b' in 1 second. - Type the character 'b' in 1 second. - Move the pointer clockwise to 'c' in 1 second. - Type the character 'c' in 1 second.

Example 2
INPUT
word = "bza"
OUTPUT
7
EXPLANATION

The characters are printed as follows: - Move the pointer clockwise to 'b' in 1 second. - Type the character 'b' in 1 second. - Move the pointer counterclockwise to 'z' in 2 seconds. - Type the character 'z' in 1 second. - Move the pointer clockwise to 'a' in 1 second. - Type the character 'a' in 1 second.

Example 3
INPUT
word = "zjpc"
OUTPUT
34
EXPLANATION

The characters are printed as follows: - Move the pointer counterclockwise to 'z' in 1 second. - Type the character 'z' in 1 second. - Move the pointer clockwise to 'j' in 10 seconds. - Type the character 'j' in 1 second. - Move the pointer clockwise to 'p' in 6 seconds. - Type the character 'p' in 1 second. - Move the pointer counterclockwise to 'c' in 13 seconds. - Type the character 'c' in 1 second.

Constraints

1 <= word.length <= 100
word consists of lowercase English letters.

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