FastPrepShortest Land Path

Shortest Land Path

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Problem statement

Given a square binary grid, find a shortest path from start to target using only land. A cell containing 0 is land; a cell containing 1 is water.

Both endpoint arrays are zero-based coordinates [row, column]. A move travels one cell up, down, left or right, stays inside the grid, and never enters water. Each move has equal cost.

Return the path as an ordered array of coordinates, including the start and target. Minimize the number of moves. If several shortest paths exist, return the lexicographically smallest coordinate sequence: compare the first differing coordinates by row, then column.

The problem statement continues
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Examples

Example 1

grid = [[0,0,0],[1,1,0],[0,0,0]]start = [0,0]target = [2,0]return = [[0,0],[0,1],[0,2],[1,2],[2,2],[2,1],[2,0]]

The only land route follows the top row, descends along column 2, then moves left along the bottom row. It uses 6 moves and includes both endpoints.

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Reported in 1 Google interview this week

Unlock this recently reported problem

FastPrep Pro gives you full access to interview problems reported within the last week.

  • Full problem statement and constraints
  • 2 more worked examples, explained
  • Guided hints and editorial
  • Run your code on real test cases
$8.25/month

$99 billed yearly — or $19 month-to-month. Cancel anytime.

Free plan — 2 of 2 free unlocks used this week