Parse Lisp Expression — LeetCode 736 Python Solution

HardStackRecursionHash TableString
Problem
#736
Pattern
Stack
Reading time
10 min

The problem

You are given a string expression representing a Lisp-like expression to return the integer value of. The syntax for these expressions is given as follows.

Example

Input
expression = "(let x 2 (mult x (let x 3 y 4 (add x y))))"
Output
14
Explanation
In the expression (add x y), when checking for the value of the variable x,

Python solution

Python
class Solution:
    def evaluate(self, expression: str) -> int:
        def parseVar():
            nonlocal i
            j = i
            while i < n and expression[i] not in " )":
                i += 1
            return expression[j:i]

        def parseInt():
            nonlocal i
            sign, v = 1, 0
            if expression[i] == "-":
                sign = -1
                i += 1
            while i < n and expression[i].isdigit():
                v = v * 10 + int(expression[i])
                i += 1
            return sign * v

        def eval():
            nonlocal i
            if expression[i] != "(":
                return scope[parseVar()][-1] if expression[i].islower() else parseInt()
            i += 1
            if expression[i] == "l":
                i += 4
                vars = []
                while 1:
                    var = parseVar()
                    if expression[i] == ")":
                        ans = scope[var][-1]
                        break
                    vars.append(var)
                    i += 1
                    scope[var].append(eval())
                    i += 1
                    if not expression[i].islower():
                        ans = eval()
                        break
                for v in vars:
                    scope[v].pop()
            else:
                add = expression[i] == "a"
                i += 4 if add else 5
                a = eval()
                i += 1
                b = eval()
                ans = a + b if add else a * b
            i += 1
            return ans

        i, n = 0, len(expression)
        scope = defaultdict(list)
        return eval()

Complexity

MeasureComplexity
TimeO(n)
SpaceO(n) auxiliary

Pattern: Stack

When the most recent unresolved thing is the one that matters, use a stack. LeetCode 736. Parse Lisp Expression 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 736. Parse Lisp Expression?
LeetCode 736. Parse Lisp Expression is rated Hard on LeetCode.
What is the time complexity of LeetCode 736. Parse Lisp Expression?
The Python solution on this page runs in O(n).
What is the space complexity of LeetCode 736. Parse Lisp Expression?
The Python solution on this page uses O(n) auxiliary space.
What topics does LeetCode 736. Parse Lisp Expression cover?
LeetCode 736. Parse Lisp Expression is tagged Stack, Recursion, Hash Table and String on LeetCode.

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