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Optimize file reading and expression DFS

InstacartSoftware Engineer · HR Screen
MediumSoftware EngineerHR ScreenCoding & Algorithms

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This interview question evaluates algorithm design, data structures, correctness, complexity, edge cases, and implementation details in a realistic interview setting. A strong answer for Optimize file reading and expression DFS states assumptions, handles edge cases, explains trade-offs, and shows how to validate the result clearly.

Question

Given a large password file, build a program to read the required password(s) while minimizing memory usage. How would you optimize the space so that only the needed content is loaded? Given a mathematical expression as a string, write code to evaluate it using a depth-first-search (DFS) approach.