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Problem: Find the Difference

Medium
30 min
Explore how to identify the index of an extra character present in only one of two similar strings, using bitwise manipulation techniques. This lesson helps you apply bitwise operations to efficiently solve string difference problems common in coding interviews. Gain hands-on experience solving this pattern to improve your algorithmic problem-solving skills.

Statement

Given two strings, str1 and str2, find the index of the extra character that is present in only one of the strings.

Note: If multiple instances of the extra character exist, return the index of the first occurrence of the character in the longer string.

Constraints:

  • 00 \leq str1.length, str2.length 1000\leq 1000
  • Either str2.length == str1.length + 1, or, str1.length == str2.length + 1
  • The strings consist of lowercase English letters.
Problem
Ask
Submissions

Problem: Find the Difference

Medium
30 min
Explore how to identify the index of an extra character present in only one of two similar strings, using bitwise manipulation techniques. This lesson helps you apply bitwise operations to efficiently solve string difference problems common in coding interviews. Gain hands-on experience solving this pattern to improve your algorithmic problem-solving skills.

Statement

Given two strings, str1 and str2, find the index of the extra character that is present in only one of the strings.

Note: If multiple instances of the extra character exist, return the index of the first occurrence of the character in the longer string.

Constraints:

  • 00 \leq str1.length, str2.length 1000\leq 1000
  • Either str2.length == str1.length + 1, or, str1.length == str2.length + 1
  • The strings consist of lowercase English letters.