The Zigzag Encoder
A medium Python mock interview question on DataDriven, with an AI interviewer who asks follow-up questions and a hire or no-hire decision at the end.
- Domain
- Python
- Difficulty
- medium
- Seniority
- L4
Interview Prompt
A rail-fence encoding lays a message `s` straight down `num_rows` rows and then diagonally back up to the top, repeating until the message runs out. Reading the rows top to bottom, each left to right, gives the encoded payload.
Summary
The message snakes its way across the rails.
How This Interview Works
- Read the vague prompt (just like a real interview)
- Ask clarifying questions to the AI interviewer
- Write and run your Python against test cases
- Answer the interviewer's follow-up questions, then get a hire or no-hire decision