Package g1701_1800.s1737_change_minimum_characters_to_satisfy_one_of_three_conditions

Class Solution

java.lang.Object
g1701_1800.s1737_change_minimum_characters_to_satisfy_one_of_three_conditions.Solution
public class Solution extends java.lang.Object
1737 - Change Minimum Characters to Satisfy One of Three Conditions.

Medium

You are given two strings a and b that consist of lowercase letters. In one operation, you can change any character in a or b to any lowercase letter.

Your goal is to satisfy one of the following three conditions:

  • Every letter in a is strictly less than every letter in b in the alphabet.
  • Every letter in b is strictly less than every letter in a in the alphabet.
  • Both a and b consist of only one distinct letter.

Return the minimum number of operations needed to achieve your goal.

Example 1:

Input: a = “aba”, b = “caa”

Output: 2

Explanation: Consider the best way to make each condition true:

  1. Change b to “ccc” in 2 operations, then every letter in a is less than every letter in b.

  2. Change a to “bbb” and b to “aaa” in 3 operations, then every letter in b is less than every letter in a.

  3. Change a to “aaa” and b to “aaa” in 2 operations, then a and b consist of one distinct letter. The best way was done in 2 operations (either condition 1 or condition 3).

Example 2:

Input: a = “dabadd”, b = “cda”

Output: 3

Explanation: The best way is to make condition 1 true by changing b to “eee”.

Constraints:

  • 1 <= a.length, b.length <= 105
  • a and b consist only of lowercase letters.

  • Constructor Summary

    Constructors
    Constructor
    Description
    Solution()
     

  • Method Summary

    Modifier and Type
    Method
    Description
    int
    minCharacters(java.lang.String s1, java.lang.String s2)
     

    Methods inherited from class java.lang.Object

    clone, equals, finalize, getClass, hashCode, notify, notifyAll, toString, wait, wait, wait

  • Constructor Details

    • Solution

      public Solution()

  • Method Details

    • minCharacters

      public int minCharacters(java.lang.String s1, java.lang.String s2)