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How to Solve Minimum Penalty for a Shop Problem
Master the Minimum Penalty for a Shop LeetCode problem with undetectable real-time assistance. Get instant solutions and explanations during your coding interviews.
Phantom Code generates complete solutions and debugging hints that you can use while explaining your approach, so you stay calm and in control.
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Start Free for WindowsMedium#2483
LeetCode ProblemMinimum Penalty for a Shop
You are given the customer visit log of a shop represented by a 0-indexed string customers consisting only of characters 'N' and 'Y': If the shop closes at the jth hour (0 <= j <= n), the penalty is calculated as follows: Return the earliest hour at which the shop must be closed to incur a minimum penalty. Note that if a shop closes at the jth hour, it means the shop is closed at the hour j.
StringPrefix Sum
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Problem Breakdown
Understanding the Minimum Penalty for a Shop Problem
Let's break down this LeetCode problem and understand what makes it challenging in interview settings.
Problem Statement
You are given the customer visit log of a shop represented by a 0-indexed string customers consisting only of characters 'N' and 'Y': If the shop closes at the jth hour (0 <= j <= n), the penalty is calculated as follows: Return the earliest hour at which the shop must be closed to incur a minimum penalty. Note that if a shop closes at the jth hour, it means the shop is closed at the hour j.
MediumProblem #2483
LeetCodeMinimum Penalty for a Shop
Related Topics
StringPrefix Sum
How Phantom Code Helps
Get real-time assistance for Minimum Penalty for a Shop problems during coding interviews. Phantom Code provides instant solutions and explanations.
Examples
# Example 1
Input
customers = "YYNY"
Output
2
# Example 2
Input
customers = "NNNNN"
Output
0
# Example 3
Input
customers = "YYYY"
Output
4
Constraints
1 <= customers.length <= 105
customers consists only of characters 'Y' and 'N'.
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Solve Minimum Penalty for a Shop — You are given the customer visit log of a shop represented by a 0-indexed string...
Here's the optimal approach using String:
def solve(input):
# Optimal O(n) solution
return result
Time: O(n) | Space: O(n)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about solving Minimum Penalty for a Shop and using Phantom Code during coding interviews.
How does Phantom Code help me solve coding problems like Minimum Penalty for a Shop during interviews?
Phantom Code generates complete solutions instantly with proper complexity analysis, letting you focus on explaining your approach and demonstrating problem-solving skills rather than getting stuck on implementation details during high-pressure situations.
What if the interviewer asks follow-up questions or modifications to problems like Minimum Penalty for a Shop?
Phantom Code adapts in real-time. Screenshot the modified problem or use audio mode to capture the interviewer's follow-up, and get an updated solution within seconds — including edge cases and optimizations.
Can Phantom Code help me communicate my solution for problems like Minimum Penalty for a Shop?
Yes. Phantom Code provides step-by-step approach explanations with 3 progressive thoughts, so you can walk through your solution naturally. It also provides time and space complexity analysis to discuss trade-offs.
How does Phantom Code assist with different programming languages for Minimum Penalty for a Shop type problems?
Phantom Code supports 11 programming languages including Python, Java, C++, JavaScript, TypeScript, Go, Rust, Ruby, Swift, Kotlin, and C#. Set your preferred language and get idiomatic solutions.
What coding mistakes does Phantom Code help me avoid during Minimum Penalty for a Shop interviews?
Phantom Code catches common mistakes like off-by-one errors, missing edge cases, incorrect base conditions, and suboptimal approaches. It provides clean, well-structured code that handles all edge cases.
Is Phantom Code detectable when solving problems like Minimum Penalty for a Shop during live interviews?
No. Phantom Code runs as an invisible desktop overlay that doesn't appear in screen shares, recordings, or proctoring software. It works with Zoom, HackerRank, CodeSignal, CoderPad, and all major platforms.
How does Phantom Code help when I'm struggling with Minimum Penalty for a Shop style questions under pressure?
The AI provides structured guidance: first the approach (what algorithm/data structure to use and why), then the implementation with clean code, and finally complexity analysis. This helps you think clearly even under pressure.
Does Phantom Code work for the coding platforms used in Minimum Penalty for a Shop interviews?
Yes. Phantom Code works with all major coding platforms including LeetCode, HackerRank, CodeSignal, CoderPad, HackerEarth, and any browser-based coding environment.
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