Spreadsheet Formula Engine | Dataford Interview Questions

Build a terminal-based spreadsheet engine that can parse basic cell coordinates and evaluate simple arithmetic formulas.

Implement spreadsheet_engine(commands), where commands are strings: SET <cell> <expression> stores an integer or formula, and GET <cell> evaluates it. Formulas support integer literals, cell references such as A1 and AA10, parentheses, unary signs, and +, -, *, /; division truncates toward zero. Return one value per GET, using the string "ERROR" for missing cells, invalid expressions, division by zero, or circular references.

Input is a list of command strings. SET updates a cell, and later GET commands observe the latest definitions.

Constraints

1 <= commands.length <= 500
Each command contains at most 1,000 characters
Cell coordinates consist of one or more uppercase letters followed by a positive row number
Expressions contain nonnegative integer literals and the operators +, -, *, and /
Division truncates toward zero
SET commands may overwrite existing cells
Return one result for every valid GET command in command order

Function Signature

def spreadsheet_engine(commands):

Your question is Spreadsheet Formula Engine. 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

Build a terminal-based spreadsheet engine that can parse basic cell coordinates and evaluate simple arithmetic formulas.

Input is a list of command strings. SET updates a cell, and later GET commands observe the latest definitions.

Constraints

1 <= commands.length <= 500
Each command contains at most 1,000 characters
Cell coordinates consist of one or more uppercase letters followed by a positive row number
Expressions contain nonnegative integer literals and the operators +, -, *, and /
Division truncates toward zero
SET commands may overwrite existing cells
Return one result for every valid GET command in command order

Function Signature

def spreadsheet_engine(commands):

Your question is Spreadsheet Formula Engine. 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.