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Solve PTO window and sparse unique counting

Last updated: Mar 29, 2026

Quick Overview

This question evaluates proficiency in array algorithms and algorithmic optimization, including reasoning about contiguous subarray manipulation, efficient counting in sorted sequences, complexity analysis, and robust edge-case handling.

  • Medium
  • Meta
  • Coding & Algorithms
  • Software Engineer

Solve PTO window and sparse unique counting

Company: Meta

Role: Software Engineer

Category: Coding & Algorithms

Difficulty: Medium

Interview Round: Technical Screen

Design algorithms for two problems: A) Longest vacation with limited PTO: Given an array A of characters where 'w' denotes a workday and 'h' denotes a holiday, and an integer n representing the number of PTO days you may spend to convert 'w' into a day off, return the maximum length of a contiguous vacation (consecutive days off) you can achieve. Example: A = ['w','h','h','w','h','w'], n = 2 => result = 5. State the function signature, outline an O(n) approach, analyze time and space complexity, and cover edge cases (all 'w', all 'h', n ≥ number of 'w', empty input). B) Count uniques in a mostly-duplicate sorted array: Given a non-decreasing array where the number of distinct values is very small relative to its length, count the number of unique values faster than O(n). Propose an algorithm that exploits the sorted structure (e.g., divide-and-conquer or binary search to skip duplicate runs), provide complexity analysis, and discuss when it outperforms a linear scan.

Quick Answer: This question evaluates proficiency in array algorithms and algorithmic optimization, including reasoning about contiguous subarray manipulation, efficient counting in sorted sequences, complexity analysis, and robust edge-case handling.

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Meta
Aug 1, 2025, 12:00 AM
Software Engineer
Technical Screen
Coding & Algorithms
1
0

Design algorithms for two problems:

A) Longest vacation with limited PTO: Given an array A of characters where 'w' denotes a workday and 'h' denotes a holiday, and an integer n representing the number of PTO days you may spend to convert 'w' into a day off, return the maximum length of a contiguous vacation (consecutive days off) you can achieve. Example: A = ['w','h','h','w','h','w'], n = 2 => result = 5. State the function signature, outline an O(n) approach, analyze time and space complexity, and cover edge cases (all 'w', all 'h', n ≥ number of 'w', empty input).

B) Count uniques in a mostly-duplicate sorted array: Given a non-decreasing array where the number of distinct values is very small relative to its length, count the number of unique values faster than O(n). Propose an algorithm that exploits the sorted structure (e.g., divide-and-conquer or binary search to skip duplicate runs), provide complexity analysis, and discuss when it outperforms a linear scan.

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