Linear Scans & State · 15 min · free with an account

Challenge: Reservoir Sampling

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For deterministic random choices [0,1,1,3], return the final one-item reservoir while scanning four values.

Core idea

First make the visible case correct, then test a smallest, duplicate, or adversarial case. Trim whitespace surrounding the complete input before parsing.

Start with the idea

Solve the exact task, not just the visible example: For deterministic random choices [0,1,1,3], return the final one-item reservoir while scanning four values. On input values=[10,20,30,40]; choices=[0,1,1,3], predict the output before opening the answer reveal. The revealed output is a test oracle for this case, while private checks exercise other legal cases. Start by stating the input grammar and output format in your own words. Parse the complete input, including surrounding whitespace, before relying on any convenient positions in the example.

Build the solution around one maintained claim: Replace a fixed reservoir with decreasing probability while streaming unknown-length input. Decide what state represents that claim, how it is initialized, what a single update does, and when the algorithm stops. A scan turns a sequence into a small piece of state. Say what the state means after the first i elements, before you describe a loop body. Trace the visible input by hand and record at least two intermediate states, not only the final answer. If the trace cannot justify your predicted output, there is a gap between the idea and the implementation.

Use the Rust sketch as a guide, not a substitute for a complete solve function. The supplied Rust sketch is a starting point. Identify what it stores, how one iteration changes it, and whether it already solves the exact task or only demonstrates a related operation.

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