Length-prefixed framing
Pack Labels Without Escaping
01. The question
Given a JSON list of ASCII strings (including empty strings and # marks), return {"encoded": string, "decoded": list}. Frame each label as decimal character length, #, then exactly that many characters. Decode your own encoding and preserve every label.
Before revealing the idea, predict the result and describe what information you would need to track.
02. Worked example
Input["box#7","","hi"]
Output{"encoded":"5#box#70#2#hi","decoded":["box#7","","hi"]}
- "box#7" has five characters, so its frame is "5#box#7".
- The empty label is "0#"; "hi" is "2#hi".
- Read a length up to #, then consume that exact payload length; payload # marks are ordinary data.
Try your code
Define solve(data, parameter="") and return your result. Your code runs locally, not on a server.
Edit your test cases
Use 1-10 objects with data and an optional string parameter. Expected outputs are computed from the lesson. An optional expected field must be correct.
Input contract & reference code
Example data: ["box#7","","hi"]. Parameter: "". Numeric parameters arrive as strings; convert them with int(parameter) when needed.
The example and generated cases use the question’s exact variant. This checks behavior on a small test batch—not performance on every possible input.
Python downloads only when you run code, using compressed runtime assets. Code is not saved or uploaded. Enable JavaScript to run it.
Printed output
Five-second execution limit per batch. Standard-library Python only; additional packages and network access are unavailable. Stop ends execution without blocking the lesson.
03. The idea
Try sketching your own approach first. What would you track, and why would it work?
Reveal the idea
- Join independently length-prefixed frames.
- Read each decimal header up to its separator.
- Slice the announced payload and move the cursor past it.
04. Watch it happen
Use Step to move slowly, or Play to follow the whole trace. Change a preset or load your own input.
Input & settings
Red = current item / blue = active window or cells / green = completed work. A value docks at its actual destination; the original input stays unchanged. Positions start at 0.
Working state / what changes
Ready to begin
Enable JavaScript to step through the animation. The worked example and solution below remain readable without it.
Python / why it changes
The line behind the step
def solve(data, parameter=''):
pieces = []
for word in data:
pieces.append(str(len(word)) + "#" + word)
encoded = "".join(pieces)
decoded = []
cursor = 0
while cursor < len(encoded):
separator = encoded.index("#", cursor)
length = int(encoded[cursor:separator])
start = separator + 1
decoded.append(encoded[start:start + length])
cursor = start + length
return {"encoded": encoded, "decoded": decoded}How to use this walkthrough
Hover or focus a control for its label. Play forms the input and follows values into the working state. Step shows one change; Back and the slider restore exact snapshots. Reduced motion uses instant updates. Saved snapshots and sorted heap displays are teaching overhead, not algorithm complexity.
05. Python solution
def solve(data, parameter=''):
pieces = []
for word in data:
pieces.append(str(len(word)) + "#" + word)
encoded = "".join(pieces)
decoded = []
cursor = 0
while cursor < len(encoded):
separator = encoded.index("#", cursor)
length = int(encoded[cursor:separator])
start = separator + 1
decoded.append(encoded[start:start + length])
cursor = start + length
return {"encoded": encoded, "decoded": decoded}06. Cost & edge cases
- Time
- O(C + n), where C is the total payload length
- Space
- O(C + n), including encoded and decoded outputs
- [] encodes as "" but [""] encodes as "0#".
- Digits, separators, quotes and ASCII control characters survive JSON decoding.
- This is character framing for ASCII, not a UTF-8 byte protocol or an external packet validator.