251. Flatten 2D Vector

Medium
Array
Two Pointers
Design
Iterator

Description

From doocs/leetcode

Design an iterator to flatten a 2D vector. It should support the next and hasNext operations.

Implement the Vector2D class:

    • Vector2D(int[][] vec) initializes the object with the 2D vector vec.
    • next() returns the next element from the 2D vector and moves the pointer one step forward. You may assume that all the calls to next are valid.
    • hasNext() returns true if there are still some elements in the vector, and false otherwise.

 

Example 1:

Input
["Vector2D", "next", "next", "next", "hasNext", "hasNext", "next", "hasNext"]
[[[[1, 2], [3], [4]]], [], [], [], [], [], [], []]
Output
[null, 1, 2, 3, true, true, 4, false]

Explanation
Vector2D vector2D = new Vector2D([[1, 2], [3], [4]]);
vector2D.next(); // return 1
vector2D.next(); // return 2
vector2D.next(); // return 3
vector2D.hasNext(); // return True
vector2D.hasNext(); // return True
vector2D.next(); // return 4
vector2D.hasNext(); // return False

 

Constraints:

    • 0 <= vec.length <= 200
    • 0 <= vec[i].length <= 500
    • -500 <= vec[i][j] <= 500
    • At most 105 calls will be made to next and hasNext.

 

Follow up: As an added challenge, try to code it using only iterators in C++ or iterators in Java.

Hints

Hint 1
How many variables do you need to keep track?
Hint 2
Two variables is all you need. Try with <code>x</code> and <code>y</code>.
Hint 3
Beware of empty rows. It could be the first few rows.
Hint 4
To write correct code, think about the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invariant_(computer_science)" target="_blank">invariant</a> to maintain. What is it?
Hint 5
The invariant is <code>x</code> and <code>y</code> must always point to a valid point in the 2d vector. Should you maintain your invariant <i>ahead of time</i> or <i>right when you need it</i>?
Hint 6
Not sure? Think about how you would implement <code>hasNext()</code>. Which is more complex?
Hint 7
Common logic in two different places should be refactored into a common method.

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