Implement string-based candlestick classifier

Q: Implement string-based candlestick classifier

This question evaluates string parsing, streaming input processing, numeric validation, and attention to time/space complexity in the Coding & Algorithms category, focusing on efficient single-pass parsing and O(1) extra space constraints.

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Question

Implement a function that takes a single input string encoding N daily OHLC price records in the format "o1,h1,l1,c1;o2,h2,l2,c2;...;oN,hN,lN,cN" (semicolon-separated records, comma-separated fields). Return one output string of length N where the i-th character classifies the i-th candle: 'B' if ci > oi, 'S' if ci < oi, 'D' if ci == oi. A record is invalid if hi < max(oi,ci) or li > min(oi,ci), or if any field is missing or not a valid number; for invalid records output 'X' in that position. N can be up to 200,000; parse in one pass in O(total input length) time and O(

extra space beyond the output. Do not convert the input into arrays; parse the string directly. Provide code and brief tests.

Implement string-based candlestick classifier

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