Deep JSON Diff for Annotation States | Dataford Interview Questions

Implement a function to deep-compare two complex nested JSON objects representing annotation states, returning a minimal diff for HumanSignal.

Use def deep_diff(state_a, state_b):. Inputs contain only JSON values: objects, arrays, strings, numbers, booleans, and null. Return a list of operations with JSON Pointer paths. Emit one operation per changed object key or array index, recurse into matching objects and arrays, and replace a value when its JSON types differ. Each operation must contain path and operation, plus value for add or replace. Use remove without a value. Return operations deterministically.

Constraints

Inputs are valid JSON-compatible Python values.
Object keys are strings.
Arrays are compared by index; reordering is represented as replacements.
Return operations in deterministic order, with object keys sorted lexicographically.
Nested input depth is at most 1000.
The diff should contain one operation per changed leaf, added key, removed key, or changed array position.

Function Signature

def deep_diff(state_a, state_b):

Your question is Deep JSON Diff for Annotation States. Start with the requirements in the Question tab.

Run and submit as often as you like. When you're ready, talk me through your approach or go straight to the code.

Problem

Implement a function to deep-compare two complex nested JSON objects representing annotation states, returning a minimal diff for HumanSignal.

Constraints

Inputs are valid JSON-compatible Python values.
Object keys are strings.
Arrays are compared by index; reordering is represented as replacements.
Return operations in deterministic order, with object keys sorted lexicographically.
Nested input depth is at most 1000.
The diff should contain one operation per changed leaf, added key, removed key, or changed array position.

Function Signature

def deep_diff(state_a, state_b):

Your question is Deep JSON Diff for Annotation States. Start with the requirements in the Question tab.

Run and submit as often as you like. When you're ready, talk me through your approach or go straight to the code.