First, clarify the problem constraints and edge cases, such as whether the path includes the entry and exit, and if the path is guaranteed valid. Then, iterate through the path coordinates, updating the grid with '*' for each point except the entry and exit. Finally, print the grid row by row.
Pro tip: Demonstrate attention to detail by handling edge cases like empty path, path with only entry and exit, and ensuring you don't overwrite 'e' or 'E'. Also, discuss time and space complexity to show efficiency awareness.
Ask clarifying questions: Does the path include the entry and exit? Can the path revisit cells? Is the path guaranteed to be valid? How should the grid be printed (e.g., as strings)?
Decide to use a 2D list (or array) for the grid and a set for path coordinates for O(1) lookups if needed. The algorithm will iterate through the path and update the grid.
Loop over each coordinate in the path. If the cell is not 'e' or 'E', set it to '*'. Be careful to preserve the entry and exit markers.
Iterate through each row of the grid and print it as a string, ensuring proper formatting (e.g., no extra spaces).
State time complexity O(P) where P is path length, and space complexity O(1) extra if modifying in place. Walk through a small example to verify correctness.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.