Write a function that given a sequence and a number b between [-10,10] return a new sequence. Sequences are generated by this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Look-and-say_sequence

a number b if equal to 0 the function will return the input sequence

Valid sequences:
1
11
21
1211
111221
...

Example:

input: 1211, +1
output: 111221

Example:

input: 111221, -1
output: 1211

Question

Write a function that given a sequence and a number b between [-10,10] return a new sequence.  Sequences are generated by this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Look-and-say_sequence

a number b if equal to 0 the function will return the input sequence

Valid sequences:
1
11
21
1211
111221
...

Example:

input: 1211, +1
output: 111221

Example:

input: 111221, -1
output: 1211

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Used recursion to generate sequences.  Should be an iterative way to do the generation, but I was able to figure it out during the interview.

Anonymous · Answer

static String look_and_Say_add_1(String num){
		if(num==null) return null;
		StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();
		char repeat = num.charAt(0);
		num = num.substring(1) + " "; 
		int times = 1;
		for(char current: num.toCharArray()){
			if(current==repeat){
				times++;
			}
			else{
				sb.append(times+""+repeat);
				times = 1;
				repeat = current;
			}
		}
		return sb.toString();
	}

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