Serialize and Deserialize a Map | Dataford Interview Questions

Serialize a data structure (map) to byte[] and convert it back (deserialize). Asked in the tech phone screen stage. Most of the prompt is points-walled; visible text mentions byte[] round-trip, and the author used Java byte streams.

Implement round_trip_map(data), which serializes a map and deserializes the resulting bytes. Keys and values are UTF-8 strings. Use a deterministic binary format: a 4-byte big-endian entry count, followed by each key and value as a 4-byte big-endian byte length and UTF-8 bytes. Return the reconstructed map.

Constraints

0 <= len(data) <= 1000
Every key and value is a string
Keys are unique
Keys and values may contain any valid UTF-8 characters
Serialized lengths fit within an unsigned 32-bit integer

Function Signature

def round_trip_map(data):

Your question is Serialize and Deserialize a Map. 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

Constraints

0 <= len(data) <= 1000
Every key and value is a string
Keys are unique
Keys and values may contain any valid UTF-8 characters
Serialized lengths fit within an unsigned 32-bit integer

Function Signature

def round_trip_map(data):

Your question is Serialize and Deserialize a Map. 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.