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The String Shrinker

A easy Python mock interview question on DataDriven. Practice with AI-powered feedback, real code execution, and a hire/no-hire decision.

Domain
Python
Difficulty
easy
Seniority
mid

Interview Prompt

The logging pipeline produces status codes as long repeated-character strings (e.g. 'AAAAABBBCC') that waste storage. Before writing to the archive, the pipeline should compress these strings using run-length encoding. Write a function that replaces consecutive runs of the same character with the character followed by its count, omitting the count when it is 1. If the compressed version is not shorter, return the original.

How This Interview Works

  1. Read the vague prompt (just like a real interview)
  2. Ask clarifying questions to the AI interviewer
  3. Write your python solution with real code execution
  4. Get instant feedback and a hire/no-hire decision