Excel Cell Get/Set Basics | Dataford Interview Questions

Excel sheet: Part 1 implement set_cell("A1", "10") and get_cell("A1"); Part 2 extends set_cell.

Asked in the technical phone screen stage. Part 2+ points-walled.

Implement process_operations(operations), where each operation is a dictionary with op, cell, and, for set, value. Values are integer strings or formulas such as "=A1+B1+4". A get returns the evaluated integer, or null if the cell has never been set. A missing cell referenced inside a formula contributes 0. Updates must affect later reads.

Example: setting A1 to 2, B1 to 3, and C1 to =A1+B1 makes get(C1) return 5. Setting C1 to =B1+4 before setting B1 makes it return 4, then 10 after B1 becomes 6.

Constraints: operations are ordered, formulas contain only +, integer literals, and cell references, and formula references do not form cycles.

Constraints

1 <= operations.length <= 1000
Cell names consist of uppercase letters followed by positive digits, such as A1 or Z99
A set value is an integer string or a formula beginning with '='
Formulas contain only '+' separators, integer literals, and cell references
Formula references do not form cycles
A direct get of an unset cell returns null; an unset formula reference contributes 0

Function Signature

def process_operations(operations):

Your question is Excel Cell Get/Set Basics. 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