Python variable value assignment in recursion - python

There are two solution for a problem:
Problem is :
Enter the root node of a binary tree and an integer to print out the path where the sum of the node values in the binary tree is the input integer. A path is defined as a path from the root node of the tree to the next node until the leaf node passes. (Note: In the list of return values, the array with the largest array length is ahead)
solution one
# class TreeNode:
# def __init__(self, x):
# self.val = x
# self.left = None
# self.right = None
class Solution:
def FindPath(self, root, expectNumber):
if not root:
return []
result=[]
path=[root]
path_sum=0
def find(root,path,path_sum):
isleaf= root.left==None and root.right==None # a bool,whether is leaf node
path_sum+=root.val
if isleaf and path_sum==expectNumber:
t=[]
for i in path:
t.append(i.val)
result.append(t) # add a appropriate path's value to result
if path_sum<expectNumber:
if root.left:
find(root.left,path+[root.left],path_sum)#note!!!!!
if root.right:
find(root.right,path+[root.right],path_sum)#note!!!!!
find(root,path,path_sum)
return result
solution 2
class Solution:
def FindPath(self, root, expectNumber):
if not root:
return []
result=[]
path=[]
path_sum=0
def find(root,path,path_sum):
isleaf= root.left==None and root.right==None
path.append(root)#note!!!!!
path_sum+=root.val
if isleaf and path_sum==expectNumber:
t=[]
for i in path:
t.append(i.val)
result.append(t)
if path_sum<expectNumber:
if root.left:
find(root.left,path,path_sum)
if root.right:
find(root.right,path,path_sum)
path.pop()#note!!!!!
find(root,path,path_sum)
return result
I don't know why in solution 1 the path list don't need pop operation but solution 2 need. In other word why solution 1 don't share a path list, but solution 2 does.
Please help me, I cann't find such paper figure me out!
My point is not about class , you can use function to solve this problem too.
What I care is Python variable value assignment in recursion!!!

I find your code has a lot of mistakes that will make it hard to trace:
**** First: any def or function inside any Python class should be lower case with underscores, so we can figure out what is class from a function, so your FindPath() should be >>>>>> find_path()
**** Second: If you wand to declare any arguments to a the global scope of a class, you should do that inside a function as a constructor or initializer, so your code for an E.G should be :
class Solution:
def __init__(self, root, expect_number):
self.root = root
self.expect_number = expect_number
and any time you will call any argument inside the class, you should call it with the (self.arg), e.g self.root
**** Third: this line is not understandable at all :
def find(root,path,path_sum):
isleaf= root.left==None and root.right==None
this is totally wrong you are assigning a None value to preassaigned value to isleaf, and you again give the isleaf variable an (and) word so, as a logical or pythonic logic : how would the isleaf will understand to get the two values (root.left and root.right) which are getting a None values, does not make any sense.
so please give us an idea about what exactly do you want to do here.
**** Fourth: consider to give one space after and before any operator so instead of
"if path_sum
**** Don't afraid to give the variables or arguments a real names to discripe the real needs for it, or at least try to give a comment for it, So e.g : what is t = [] is doing!!!!!!!
So please try to be more specific so you can find good help for your problems, and to make your code more pythonic.
New Edit:
In solution no 2 : every time you call the find() function, you are appending or adding the 'root' value to the path list
def find(root,path,path_sum):
isleaf= root.left==None and root.right==None
path.append(root) # here you added the root to the path
and the code still recursive till this condition is false:
if path_sum<expectNumber:
and when it false, it will start to call the pop() method, which will remove
the last 'root', added to the path list:
path.pop()
and then it calls the next line, which will call the find function again
find(root,path,path_sum)
but this time will call it with empty path value, WHY?
because the first path list object "path=[]" is at the same level scope as
the calling of the last find function "find(root,path,path_sum)"
so the inner path argument and it's values not seen by the outer path scope, they only seen by the find() function it self.
And this scope issues exactly the same to "Solution 1", except you are passing a path list with root value, and when this condition is False
if path_sum<expectNumber:
the code will call the find() function again but with path only having the root value in the first announcement "path=[root]".
And After all I think with respect you are not sharing the whole code for privacy issue, so it's hard to find the answer easily.

You can simplify your recursive method several ways. First, at each iteration, check if the value of the node passed to the method along with the sum of the current path contents is less than or equal to the desired value. Second, should the latter be smaller, call the method on the left and right sides of the tree:
class Solution:
#classmethod
def find_path(cls, head, val:int, current = []):
if sum(current) == val:
yield current
elif head.value+sum(current) < val:
if head.left is not None:
yield from cls.find_path(head.left, val, current+[head.value])
if head.right is not None:
yield from cls.find_path(head.right, val, current+[head.value])
elif head.value+sum(current) == val:
yield current+[head.value]
Tree class for demonstration:
class Tree:
def __init__(self, **kwargs):
self.__dict__ = {i:kwargs.get(i) for i in ['left', 'right', 'value']}
t = Tree(value=10, left=Tree(value=8, left=Tree(value=3), right=Tree(value=5)), right=Tree(value=2, left=Tree(value=2)))
"""
10
/ \
8 2
/ \ /
3 5 2
"""
results = [list(Solution.find_path(t, i)) for i in [12, 14, 23]]
Output:
[[[10, 2]], [[10, 2, 2]], [[10, 8, 5]]]

Related

Python Linked List how value gets assigned

Below is a code that divides each number of the node by 10. For example, node = 2->3->3, output would be 0.2->0.3->0.3.
However I am confused on why self.head.next gets updated each time given it's cur that receive the change. Suppose a=1,b=2 and we make a(cur)=b(self.head), if we change the value of a to 3, that wouldn't affect b, b is still 2. Therefore I couldn't understand why changing cur would affect self.head.next. Thank you!
class node(object):
def __init__(self,value,next=None):
self.value=value
self.next=next
class linkedlist(object):
def __init__(self):
self.head=None
self.next=None
def test(self,List):
self.head=node(0)
cur=self.head
while List:
s=List.value/10
cur.next=node(s)
cur=cur.next
List=List.next if List else 0
return self.head.next
Suppose below is the input:
a=node(2)
a=node(2,a)
a=node(3,a)
c=linkedlist()
Below is the output:
c.test(a).value=0.3
c.test(a).next.value=0.2
c.test(a).next.next.value=0.2
I am confused on why self.head.next gets updated each time given it's cur that receive the change
That is because, at least in the first iteration of the loop, self.head is cur:
cur=self.head
After that, it builds a new list with updated values, using a "dummy" node as self.head (and thus the first cur) which is then discarded and only it's next is returned. However, I find that code rather confusing and overly complicated (I had a hard time understanding it myself), e.g. the ternary ... if ... else ... in the last line is redundant as List can not be None at that point. Also, there's no need in making that a class, since none of its member attributes are used beyond the scope of a single execution of the method.
Instead, you could use a simple function, e.g. using a loop and modifying the original list, or even simpler, recursively creating a new list:
def div(lst, d=10):
first = lst
while lst:
lst.value /= d
lst = lst.next
return first
def div(lst, d=10):
return node(lst.value / 10, div(lst.next, d)) if lst else None
For easier debugging, you can also add a __repr__ method to your node class:
def __repr__(self):
return "(%r %r)" % (self.value, self.next)

Python recursion and return

I'm new to the concept of recursion, had never practiced this magic in my coding experience. Something I'm really confused about Python recursion is the use of "return". To be more specific, I don't quite understand when to use return in some situations. I've seen cases where the return is used before recursion, and cases return is not needed at all.
For example:
A Leetcode Question: "Given the root node of a binary search tree (BST) and a value. You need to find the node in the BST that the node's value equals the given value. Return the subtree rooted with that node. If such node doesn't exist, you should return NULL."
# Definition for a binary tree node.
# class TreeNode(object):
# def __init__(self, x):
# self.val = x
# self.left = None
# self.right = None
class Solution(object):
def searchBST(self, root, val):
"""
:type root: TreeNode
:type val: int
:rtype: TreeNode
"""
if root == None:
return root
if root.val == val:
return root
elif root.val > val:
return self.searchBST(root.left,val)
else:
return self.searchBST(root.right,val)
Why do I need to return "self.searchBST(root.left,val)" and "self.searchBST(root.right,val)"? If there is no return added for the two lines, would't the program still run recursively until the conditions of root.val == val or root== None is met, and a value is returned? (I know it's not the case in practice, I'm just trying to conceptualize it).
Moreover, could someone kindly show me the general guideline for using return in recursions? Thank you in advance!
If you just write:
self.searchBST(root.left,val)
instead of
return self.searchBST(root.left,val)
it will perform the recursive search but won't return the result back to the block in which it is invoked. When it gets to the value you want (or doesn't find it), that call will do
return root
But the previous call will just discard this value, rather than returning it back up the recursion chain.
A return statement exits the currently running function and returns a return value, which can then be used like any other value in Python: assigned to a variable, passed as the argument to another function, or ... returned as the return value of the calling function.
def some_func():
return 'result'
x = some_func() # after this, x == 'result'
If you call a function without capturing the return value, it just gets lost. So, if you just call some_func(), it will get executed.
some_func() # this works, but 'result' is lost
The same goes for a function that calls another function, even if that other function is itself:
def some_other_func1():
x = some_func()
return x
def some_other_func2():
return some_func() # exact same result as some_other_func1()
def some_recursive_func(n):
if n == 0:
print('Reached the end')
return n
else:
print(f'At {n}, going down')
return some_recursive_func(n-1)
print(some_recursive_func(3)) # prints a bunch of lines, but always prints `0` at the end
Let's take an even simpler example and you can apply the same logic to your method as well,
def fact(n):
#Base case
if n in [0, 1]:
return 1
#Recursion. Eg: when n is 2, this would eventually become 2 * 1 and would be returning 2 to the caller
return n * fact(n-1)
In general a recursive function will have 2 cases, one being the base case and the other being recursive call to self. And remember, this is a function and ideally is supposed to return something to the caller. That is where return statement would be needed. Otherwise you wouldn't be returning right value to the caller.
If there is no return added for the two lines, would't the program still run recursively until the conditions of root.val == val or root== None is met, and a value is returned
Value is returned yes. But it would be returned to previous call (and so on) and hence it would return to one of self.searchBST(root.left,val) or self.searchBST(root.right,val). You would still need to return from this point to the caller of the function. Hence you would need to have return self.searchBST(root.left,val) or return self.searchBST(root.right,val).

Inorder Binary Tree Traversal (using Python)

I am trying to perform an inorder traversal of a tree. The code itself feels right, except it is not working properly. I have a feeling it has to either do with the if condition, how append works in python, or something perhaps with return. This works correctly if I use print instead of return, I think, but I want to be able to use return and still get the correct answer. For example, for the tree [1,None,2,3], my code returns [1] which is clearly incorrect.
Additionally is it possible to solve this problem using list comprehension? If so, any sample code would be greatly appreciated.
Here is my code:
class Solution(object):
def inorderTraversal(self, root):
res = []
if root:
self.inorderTraversal(root.left)
res.append(root.val)
self.inorderTraversal(root.right)
return res
Also before marking this as a duplicate, I know in order traversals have been asked on Stackoverflow (plenty of times), but none of them helped me understand why my understanding is wrong. I would be so grateful if someone helped me learn how to correct my approach versus simply posting another link without explanation. Thank you so much!
The reason this doesn't work is that res only has the value of the first node you give it appended to it; each time you recursively recall the function, it just makes a new res. It is a simple fix though, as follows:
class Solution(object):
def inorderTraversal(self, root):
res = []
if root:
res = self.inorderTraversal(root.left)
res.append(root.val)
res = res + self.inorderTraversal(root.right)
return res
In this, it returns the left branch, the value, and then the right. This can be done much more briefly as follows:
class Solution(object):
def inorderTraversal(self, root):
return (self.inorderTraversal(root.left) + [root.val] + self.inorderTraversal(root.right)) if root else []
Use this instead , a simple recursion ::
class Node:
def __init__(self,key):
self.left = None
self.right = None
self.val = key
def printInorder(root):
if root:
printInorder(root.left)
print(root.val)
printInorder(root.right)
def printPostorder(root):
if root:
printPostorder(root.left)
printPostorder(root.right)
print(root.val)
def printPreorder(root):
if root:
print(root.val)
printPreorder(root.left)
printPreorder(root.right)
# Driver code
root = Node(1)
root.left = Node(2)
root.right = Node(3)
root.left.left = Node(4)
root.left.right = Node(5)
print "Preorder traversal of binary tree is"
printPreorder(root)
print "\nInorder traversal of binary tree is"
printInorder(root)
print "\nPostorder traversal of binary tree is"
printPostorder(root)
Source :: here
#Benedict Randall Shaw's answer is already perfect. I just want to add some fun to it in a pythonic way. Although the doc does not suggest using a mutable object as default parameter, this will somewhat simplify the code by treating the default mutable list as a class member of the python function.
The difference is only the += is replaced by =, since the res is always the same list object inside the function before the function object is garbage collected.
def inorderTraversal(root, res=[]):
if root:
res = inorderTraversal(root.left)
res.append(root.val)
res = inorderTraversal(root.right)
return res
Yet another approach to output a list, the advantage being that you need to add values only to a single list:
def inorder(root):
return_list = []
def innerInOrder(root):
if root == None:
return
innnerInOrder(root.left)
return_list.append(root.data)
innerInOrder(root.right)
innerInOrder(root)
return return_list
You could just declare the list outside the function so that it does not create a new list everytime you call the function ( since it's a recursive function), but you could use other approaches posted. :-)

what's difference between these two statements about passing variables in Python recursively

I'm a new python learner. and there is a question confusing me a lot cause it really waste much time to think about.
There is a algorithm puzzle about binary tree, and a sum, you should find all root-to-leaf paths where each path's sum equals the given sum.
For example:
Given the below binary tree and sum = 22
An example picture here
I have written a python recursive method like blew and it runs correctly on online judgment.
#definition for a binary tree node.
class TreeNode(object):
def __init__(self, x):
self.val=x
self.left=None
self.right=None
class Solution(object):
def pathSum(self, root, sum):
"""
:type root: TreeNode
:type sum: int
:rtype: List[List[int]]
"""
res=[]
if not root:
return res
temp=[root.val]
self.helper(root,sum,res,temp)
return res
def helper(self, root, sum, res, temp):
if not root:
return 0
if root.left==None and root.right==None and sum==root.val:
res.append(temp)
if root.left!=None:
self.helper(root.left,sum-root.val,res,temp+[root.left.val])
if root.right!=None:
self.helper(root.right,sum-root.val,res,temp+[root.right.val])
in the last four lines, I invoke the helper function recursively to find the path sum by pass root left child and root right child.
However, if i rewrite the code like below, I mean only last four lines
if root.left!=None:
temp+=[root.left.val]
self.helper(root.left,sum-root.val,res,temp)
if root.right!=None:
temp+=[root.right.val]
self.helper(root.right,sum-root.val,res,temp)
it gives me wrong answer and can't pass the online judgment.
Dose anyone know what is the difference between this two kind of ways in pass the parameter to a function in python. or it's any declare and pass problem in my code.
In my view, I can't see any difference. Thanks everyone.help me !
+= alters a list in-place:
>>> def inplace(l):
... l += ['spam']
...
>>> def new_list(l):
... l = l + ['spam']
...
>>> a = ['foo']
>>> inplace(a)
>>> a
['foo', 'spam']
>>> a = ['foo']
>>> new_list(a)
>>> a
['foo']
Your original code passes in a new list each time:
self.helper(root.left,sum-root.val,res,temp+[root.left.val])
but your altered code shares temp across all recursive calls and extends it each time. This matters because by creating a new list you gave the recursive calls for the left branch a new, independent list from the right branch of your recursion. By extending the list with += you now give a larger list to the right branch after processing the left branch.
When you say temp += ... you are modifying temp. But you use it in both the left and right cases.
So you have:
temp = [0]
if root.left is not None:
temp += [1] # Now temp is [0, 1], probably okay
...
if root.right is not None:
temp += [2] # Now temp is [0, 1, 2], not [0, 2]!
The second version is incorrect because you would be updating the temp variable between the left leaf check and the right leaf check
if root.left!=None:
temp+=[root.left.val] # temp updated here
self.helper(root.left,sum-root.val,res,temp)
if root.right!=None:
temp+=[root.right.val] # the updated value could be used here, which is wrong
self.helper(root.right,sum-root.val,res,temp)

How to traverse Linked-Lists Python

I am trying to figure out how I can traverse linked list in Python using Recursion.
I know how to traverse linked-lists using common loops such as:
item_cur = my_linked_list.first
while item_cur is not None:
print(item_cur.item)
item_cur = item_cur.next
I was wondering how I could turn this loop into a recursive step.
Thanks
You could do something like this:
def print_linked_list(item):
# base case
if item == None:
return
# lets print the current node
print(item.item)
# print the next nodes
print_linked_list(item.next)
It looks like your linked list has two kinds of parts. You have list nodes, with next and item attributes, and a wrapper object which has an attribute pointing to a the first node. To recursively print the list, you'll want to have two functions, one to handle the wrapper and a helper function to do the recursive processing of the nodes.
def print_list(linked_list): # Non-recursive outer function. You might want
_print_list_helper(linked_list.first) # to update it to handle empty lists nicely!
def _print_list_helper(node): # Recursive helper function, gets passed a
if node is not None: # "node", rather than the list wrapper object.
print(node.item)
_print_list_helper(node.next) # Base case, when None is passed, does nothing
Try this.
class Node:
def __init__(self,val,nxt):
self.val = val
self.nxt = nxt
def reverse(node):
if not node.nxt:
print node.val
return
reverse(node.nxt)
print node.val
n0 = Node(4,None)
n1 = Node(3,n0)
n2 = Node(2,n1)
n3 = Node(1,n2)
reverse(n3)

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