cisco | Software Engineer | Interview Experience
Interview Date: Not specified
Result: Not specified
Difficulty: Not specified
Interview Process
The interview consisted of multiple rounds focusing on algorithmic problems. The format included coding on a whiteboard and discussing the thought process behind each solution. Each round lasted approximately 45 minutes, with some time allocated for questions.
Technical Questions
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Look-and-say Sequence
- Topic: String Manipulation
- Description: Given a number N, treat it as a string. Output the next sequence where consecutive identical digits x appear cnt times, resulting in a concatenation of cnt and x.
- Example: Input: 1211 → Output: 111221
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String Expansion with Parentheses and Repetitions
- Topic: String Parsing
- Description: Given a string formatted like (ab){3}(cd){2}, expand it to abababcdcd. Support nesting, e.g., (a(bc){2}){2}.
- Challenges: Handling nested structures and multi-digit numbers.
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Range Compression Output
- Topic: Array Manipulation
- Description: Given a sorted array, compress consecutive numbers into “a to b” format; single numbers are output as is.
- Example: Input: [1,2,3,6,7,8,10,15] → Output: 1 to 3, 6 to 8
Tips & Insights
- Focus on string and array handling.
- Ensure code robustness by considering edge cases (e.g., spaces, multi-digit numbers).
- Pay attention to output formatting (spaces, new lines).
- Be cautious with type comparisons in Java, especially between char and String.
- Avoid unnecessary sorting; process inputs in the order received.