Filter ads by a single rule

Q: Filter ads by a single rule

This question evaluates understanding of rule-based filtering for a single-rule ad filter, including set containment for locations, numeric range checks for age, handling of optional constraints, and operator logic (AND/OR).

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This is a medium difficulty Coding & Algorithms question, commonly asked during Onsite rounds at Disney.

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Question

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Single-Rule Ad Filter

Context

When a user watches content, the system needs to filter an ad pool to find ads that match one rule. Implement a lightweight filter that supports a single rule with an operator.

Data model

Ad

id: String
targetLocations: Set<String> (e.g., { "CA", "TX" } )
age: int (intended viewer age for the ad)

Rule

targetLocations: Set<String> (optional)
minAge: Integer (optional)
maxAge: Integer (optional)
operator: "AND" | "OR"

Matching semantics

Location match : if rule.targetLocations is present and non-empty, then an ad matches the location constraint if rule.targetLocations ⊆ ad.targetLocations (i.e., the ad targets all locations required by the rule).
Age match :
- if rule.minAge is present, require ad.age >= rule.minAge
- if rule.maxAge is present, require ad.age <= rule.maxAge
Combine the (present) constraints using rule.operator :
- AND : ad must satisfy all present constraints
- OR : ad must satisfy at least one present constraint
If a constraint is absent, ignore it.

Input / Output

Input : List<Ad> ads , Rule rule
Output : List<String> of matching ad.id values, preserving the original input order

Example

Rule: minAge = 21, targetLocations = {"US"}, operator = AND

Ads:

A : age=21 , targetLocations={"US","CA"} → match
B : age=13 , targetLocations={"US"} → no (age)
C : age=25 , targetLocations={"CA"} → no (location)

Output: ["A"]

Constraints (assume)

ads.length can be large; keep it efficient.
Location strings may vary in case; clarify/handle consistently (e.g., normalize to upper-case) if needed.