I spent way too long trying to rewrite the rendering logic before realizing the fix was just adding an if/else to give the special markers display priority.
Start by reproducing the bugs with a small test case and inspecting the code that renders the maze. Trace the logic for placing start/end markers and the path, then compare the output format against the expected specification. Fix the overwrite bug by ensuring markers are drawn after the path or by preserving them, and fix the format bug by adjusting the printing logic to match the expected delimiters and spacing.
Pro tip: Before diving into code, clarify the expected output format with the interviewer—this shows you prioritize requirements and avoid assumptions. Also, mention that you'd add a regression test to prevent these bugs from recurring.
Run the maze solver on a simple input to reproduce both bugs. Isolate the rendering function and identify where start/end markers and path characters are written.
Determine the order of operations: if the path is drawn after markers, it overwrites them. Check if markers are stored separately or if the path includes start/end cells.
Compare the printed maze to the expected format. Look for missing delimiters, incorrect spacing, or extra characters. Check if the format is hardcoded or derived from constants.
Fix the overwrite by rendering markers after the path or by excluding start/end from path drawing. Fix the format by adjusting the printing logic to match the expected specification.
Re-run the solver and confirm both bugs are fixed. Add unit tests for rendering and format to prevent regressions.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.