Seemed easy at first, just loop and print some characters.
First, clarify the problem constraints and expected output format, then discuss a straightforward approach that iterates from the maximum height down to 1, printing '+' for columns that meet or exceed the current level. Emphasize the time complexity O(maxHeight * n) and consider potential optimizations or alternative representations.
Pro tip: Demonstrate attention to detail by asking about edge cases such as empty arrays, negative heights, or zero heights, and propose how to handle them gracefully. Also, mention that you would write clean, modular code with clear variable names and possibly include a helper function for printing a single row.
Ask about input size, height range, expected output format (e.g., spaces for empty columns), and whether the terrain should be printed upside-down or right-side up. Confirm if heights can be zero or negative.
Find the maximum value in the array to know how many rows to print. This sets the vertical scale of the visualization.
For each level from maxHeight down to 1, iterate through the array and print '+' if the column's height is at least the current level, otherwise print a space (or appropriate placeholder).
Address cases like empty array (print nothing or a message), all zeros (print nothing or a flat line), and ensure proper spacing between columns for readability.
State that the time complexity is O(n * maxHeight) and space complexity O(1) extra, then discuss if there's a more efficient way or if the problem expects a different orientation.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.