Using a Robot to Print the Lexicographically Smallest String — LeetCode 2434 Python Solution

MediumStackGreedyHash TableString
Problem
#2434
Pattern
Stack
Reading time
3 min

The problem

You are given a string s and a robot that currently holds an empty string t. Apply one of the following operations until s and t are both empty: Remove the first character of a string s and give it to the robot.

Example

Input
s = "zza"
Output
"azz"
Explanation
Let p denote the written string.

Python solution

Python
class Solution:
    def robotWithString(self, s: str) -> str:
        cnt = Counter(s)
        ans = []
        stk = []
        mi = 'a'
        for c in s:
            cnt[c] -= 1
            while mi < 'z' and cnt[mi] == 0:
                mi = chr(ord(mi) + 1)
            stk.append(c)
            while stk and stk[-1] <= mi:
                ans.append(stk.pop())
        return ''.join(ans)

Complexity

MeasureComplexity
TimeO(n + |\Sigma|)
SpaceO(n), where n is the length of the string s and |\Sigma| is the size of the character set, which is 26 in this problem auxiliary

Pattern: Stack

When the most recent unresolved thing is the one that matters, use a stack. LeetCode 2434. Using a Robot to Print the Lexicographically Smallest String is filed here because LeetCode tags it Stack, which is the vocabulary this hub collects.

The stack guide has the Python template for the pattern and the 194 LeetCode problems that use it.

Related problems

Frequently asked questions

How hard is LeetCode 2434. Using a Robot to Print the Lexicographically Smallest String?
LeetCode 2434. Using a Robot to Print the Lexicographically Smallest String is rated Medium on LeetCode.
What is the time complexity of LeetCode 2434. Using a Robot to Print the Lexicographically Smallest String?
The Python solution on this page runs in O(n + |\Sigma|).
What is the space complexity of LeetCode 2434. Using a Robot to Print the Lexicographically Smallest String?
The Python solution on this page uses O(n), where n is the length of the string s and |\Sigma| is the size of the character set, which is 26 in this problem auxiliary space.
What topics does LeetCode 2434. Using a Robot to Print the Lexicographically Smallest String cover?
LeetCode 2434. Using a Robot to Print the Lexicographically Smallest String is tagged Stack, Greedy, Hash Table and String on LeetCode.

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