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Find a secret word via match feedback

MoveworksSoftware Engineer · Onsite
MediumSoftware EngineerOnsiteCoding & Algorithms

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This question evaluates algorithmic search, pattern-matching, and information-elimination skills in an interactive Mastermind-style word-guessing scenario, testing string comparison and combinatorial reasoning under constrained feedback.

Word Guessing Game (Mastermind-style)

You are given a list of unique candidate words wordlist. All words have the same length L and contain only lowercase letters.

There is an unknown secret word that is guaranteed to be in wordlist. You can make a guess by choosing any word from wordlist. After each guess, you receive an integer k meaning:

  • k = the number of positions i where guess[i] == secret[i] (exact position matches).

Task

Design a strategy/function that finds the secret word using at most G guesses.

Interface (conceptual)

  • You can call match(guess) -> int to get the feedback k.
  • You must output the secret word (or stop once identified).

Constraints

  • 1 <= |wordlist| <= 1000
  • 1 <= L <= 10
  • Maximum allowed guesses G (e.g., G = 10)

Notes

  • The interviewer may simulate match().
  • Your approach should be efficient enough to work within the guess limit.