247. Strobogrammatic Number II

[ErdemT09]

Resolves #57

Algorithm:

We could think of a strobogrammatic number as another kind palindrome.
From the question statement, we already know the length of this number. So, in order to build this number, we can create a character array. In this char array, we put the reflective digits in the opposite sides of the array.

For example, in an array of length 5, if we put 1 on the index 0, we put another one on the index 4 (n-1). After that, we put a 6 on the index 1 (previous left+1) and then the corresponding digit 9 on the index 3 (n-2, previous right+1). At the end, when we continue the pattern both left and right becomes 2. We then put digits that are suitable for a middle reflection (0, 1, 8).
This pattern also holds when modified a bit, for even lengths:

At even lengths such as 4, left will eventually assume the index value 2 and right the index value 1 (left>right). Then, we shall not add anything into the character array.

Only thing we should also consider is that we shouldn't place '0' at the front when left is 0, that would not be a valid number.

We can also put the reflective number pairs in char[][] and easily loop over them.

[altay9]

Great:

[altay9]

Just a quote of Erdem's explanation:

Resolves #57

Algorithm:

We could think of a strobogrammatic number as another kind palindrome.
From the question statement, we already know the length of this number. So, in order to build this number, we can create a character array. In this char array, we put the reflective digits in the opposite sides of the array.

For example, in an array of length 5, if we put 1 on the index 0, we put another one on the index 4 (n-1). After that, we put a 6 on the index 1 (previous left+1) and then the corresponding digit 9 on the index 3 (n-2, previous right+1). At the end, when we continue the pattern both left and right becomes 2. We then put digits that are suitable for a middle reflection (0, 1, 8).
This pattern also holds when modified a bit, for even lengths:

At even lengths such as 4, left will eventually assume the index value 2 and right the index value 1 (left>right). Then, we shall not add anything into the character array.

Only thing we should also consider is that we shouldn't place '0' at the front when left is 0, that would not be a valid number.

We can also put the reflective number pairs in char[][] and easily loop over them.

[altay9]

A nice explanation that and a clean code that expresses itself.
Thanks, Erdem.

[ErdemT09]

code that expresses itself

I think writing good variable, method etc. names is better than writing extensive comments. With methods, once can additionally modularize the code too.