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Compute shortest path with obstacles

Last updated: Mar 29, 2026

Quick Overview

This question evaluates proficiency in graph algorithms and grid-based shortest-path computation, including handling weighted cells and obstacles and familiarity with Dijkstra-style shortest-path techniques.

  • Medium
  • Amazon
  • Coding & Algorithms
  • Software Engineer

Compute shortest path with obstacles

Company: Amazon

Role: Software Engineer

Category: Coding & Algorithms

Difficulty: Medium

Interview Round: Technical Screen

You are given an m×n grid with nonnegative cell costs and blocked cells marked '#'. You may move up, down, left, or right. Given start (sx, sy) and target (tx, ty), compute the minimum total cost path that avoids obstacles, or return -1 if unreachable. Implement an O(mn log mn) solution using Dijkstra’s algorithm with a priority queue, and explain how you would reconstruct the path.

Quick Answer: This question evaluates proficiency in graph algorithms and grid-based shortest-path computation, including handling weighted cells and obstacles and familiarity with Dijkstra-style shortest-path techniques.

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Amazon
Aug 10, 2025, 12:00 AM
Software Engineer
Technical Screen
Coding & Algorithms
2
0

You are given an m×n grid with nonnegative cell costs and blocked cells marked '#'. You may move up, down, left, or right. Given start (sx, sy) and target (tx, ty), compute the minimum total cost path that avoids obstacles, or return -1 if unreachable. Implement an O(mn log mn) solution using Dijkstra’s algorithm with a priority queue, and explain how you would reconstruct the path.

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