[kmike84]

I got an impression that just specifying the input data took almost 1.5 hours, because of C++ and a decision to have it as a graph, not as a matrix. If an interview is in Python, one would write something like ``grid = [[1,0,0], [1,2,0], [0,2,2]]``, and be done with that part.

Probably you got exhausted after doing all these preparations and debugging issues not related directly to the algorithm. I'm not sure the final solution is correct, it is not tested on a graph with multiple connected segments of the same color. It looks more like a convoluted way to count colors globally, discarding standalone colors, if I understood your solution properly.

[drharby]

Thats the fun part 'to me' about mastery of cpp.

Sure you COULD use a graph, but using a different code abstraction to represent the idea of a graph is much more pragmattic and maintainable, of course that varies with application.

Im reentering interviewing phase right now, and its funny revisiting these problems with a new lense. The mind is very plastic and its exciting, so far as things to come.

Total nerd out moment :v

[QuackingJimbo]

``vector<vector<int>> grid{{1,1,0},{1,2,0},{0,2,2}};`` in C++