interactive-coding-challenges/linked_lists/palindrome/palindrome.ipynb

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   "source": [
    "<small><i>This notebook was prepared by [Donne Martin](http://donnemartin.com). Source and license info is on [GitHub](https://bit.ly/code-notes).</i></small>"
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    "## Problem: Determine if a linked list is a palindrome.\n",
    "\n",
    "* [Constraints](#Constraints)\n",
    "* [Test Cases](#Test-Cases)\n",
    "* [Algorithm](#Algorithm)\n",
    "* [Code](#Code)\n",
    "* [Unit Test](#Unit-Test)"
   ]
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   "source": [
    "## Constraints\n",
    "\n",
    "*Problem statements are often intentionally ambiguous.  Identifying constraints and stating assumptions can help to ensure you code the intended solution.*\n",
    "\n",
    "* Is a single character or number a palindrome?\n",
    "    * No\n",
    "* Can we assume we already have a linked list class that can be used for this problem?\n",
    "    * Yes"
   ]
  },
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   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "## Test Cases\n",
    "\n",
    "\n",
    "* Empty list\n",
    "* Single element list\n",
    "* Two element list, not a palindrome\n",
    "* Three element list, not a palindrome\n",
    "* General case: Palindrome with even length\n",
    "* General case: Palindrome with odd length"
   ]
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   "cell_type": "markdown",
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   "source": [
    "## Algorithm\n",
    "\n",
    "* Reverse the linked list\n",
    "* Compare the reversed list with the original list\n",
    "    * Only need to compare the first half\n",
    "\n",
    "Complexity:\n",
    "* Time: O(1)\n",
    "* Space: O(n)\n",
    "\n",
    "Note:\n",
    "* We could also do this iteratively, using a stack to effectively reverse the first half of the string."
   ]
  },
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   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "## Code"
   ]
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  {
   "cell_type": "code",
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   "source": [
    "%run linked_list.py"
   ]
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   "source": [
    "class MyLinkedList(LinkedList):\n",
    "    def is_palindrome(self):\n",
    "        if self.head is None or self.head.next is None:\n",
    "            return False\n",
    "        curr = self.head\n",
    "        reversed_list = MyLinkedList()\n",
    "        length = 0\n",
    "        \n",
    "        # Reverse the linked list\n",
    "        while curr is not None:\n",
    "            reversed_list.insert_to_front(curr.data)\n",
    "            length += 1\n",
    "            curr = curr.next\n",
    "            \n",
    "        # Compare the reversed list with the original list\n",
    "        # Only need to compare the first half            \n",
    "        iterations_to_compare_half = length / 2\n",
    "        curr = self.head\n",
    "        curr_reversed = reversed_list.head\n",
    "        for _ in xrange(0, iterations_to_compare_half):\n",
    "            if curr.data != curr_reversed.data:\n",
    "                return False\n",
    "            curr = curr.next\n",
    "            curr_reversed = curr_reversed.next\n",
    "        return True"
   ]
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   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "## Unit Test"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "*It is important to identify and run through general and edge cases from the [Test Cases](#Test-Cases) section by hand.  You generally will not be asked to write a unit test like what is shown below.*"
   ]
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  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": 3,
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     "text": [
      "Test: Empty list\n",
      "Test: Single element list\n",
      "Test: Two element list, not a palindrome\n",
      "Test: Three element list, not a palindrome\n",
      "Test: General case: Palindrome with even length\n",
      "Test: General case: Palindrome with odd length\n",
      "Success: test_is_palindrome\n"
     ]
    }
   ],
   "source": [
    "from nose.tools import assert_equal\n",
    "\n",
    "class Test(object):\n",
    "    def test_is_palindrome(self):\n",
    "        print('Test: Empty list')\n",
    "        linked_list = MyLinkedList()\n",
    "        assert_equal(linked_list.is_palindrome(), False)\n",
    "\n",
    "        print('Test: Single element list')\n",
    "        head = Node(1)\n",
    "        linked_list = MyLinkedList(head)\n",
    "        assert_equal(linked_list.is_palindrome(), False)\n",
    "\n",
    "        print('Test: Two element list, not a palindrome')\n",
    "        linked_list.append(2)\n",
    "        assert_equal(linked_list.is_palindrome(), False)\n",
    "\n",
    "        print('Test: Three element list, not a palindrome')\n",
    "        linked_list.append(3)\n",
    "        assert_equal(linked_list.is_palindrome(), False)\n",
    "\n",
    "        print('Test: General case: Palindrome with even length')\n",
    "        head = Node('a')\n",
    "        linked_list = MyLinkedList(head)\n",
    "        linked_list.append('b')\n",
    "        linked_list.append('b')\n",
    "        linked_list.append('a')\n",
    "        assert_equal(linked_list.is_palindrome(), True)\n",
    "\n",
    "        print('Test: General case: Palindrome with odd length')\n",
    "        head = Node(1)\n",
    "        linked_list = MyLinkedList(head)\n",
    "        linked_list.append(2)\n",
    "        linked_list.append(3)\n",
    "        linked_list.append(2)\n",
    "        linked_list.append(1)\n",
    "        assert_equal(linked_list.is_palindrome(), True)\n",
    "        \n",
    "        print('Success: test_is_palindrome')\n",
    "\n",
    "if __name__ == '__main__':\n",
    "    test = Test()\n",
    "    test.test_is_palindrome()"
   ]
  }
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