Leetcode #2437: Number of Valid Clock Times
In this guide, we solve Leetcode #2437 Number of Valid Clock Times in Python and focus on the core idea that makes the solution efficient.
You will see the intuition, the step-by-step method, and a clean Python implementation you can use in interviews.
Problem Statement
You are given a string of length 5 called time, representing the current time on a digital clock in the format "hh:mm". The earliest possible time is "00:00" and the latest possible time is "23:59".
Quick Facts
- Difficulty: Easy
- Premium: No
- Tags: String, Enumeration
Intuition
We need to scan characters while tracking positions or counts.
A simple state machine keeps the logic precise.
Approach
Iterate through the string once and update the state for each character.
Use a map or array if you need fast lookups.
Steps:
- Iterate through characters.
- Maintain necessary state.
- Build or validate the output.
Example
Input: time = "?5:00"
Output: 2
Explanation: We can replace the ? with either a 0 or 1, producing "05:00" or "15:00". Note that we cannot replace it with a 2, since the time "25:00" is invalid. In total, we have two choices.
Python Solution
class Solution:
def countTime(self, time: str) -> int:
def check(s: str, t: str) -> bool:
return all(a == b or b == '?' for a, b in zip(s, t))
return sum(
check(f'{h:02d}:{m:02d}', time) for h in range(24) for m in range(60)
)
Complexity
The time complexity is , and the space complexity is . The space complexity is .
Edge Cases and Pitfalls
Watch for boundary values, empty inputs, and duplicate values where applicable. If the problem involves ordering or constraints, confirm the invariant is preserved at every step.
Summary
This Python solution focuses on the essential structure of the problem and keeps the implementation interview-friendly while meeting the constraints.