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SAP·Software Engineer·Online Assessment (OA)·Intermediate

Intermediate
Jun 2026

Summary

Got a coding question from SAP for a software engineer role, pretty focused on string formatting logic. Nothing crazy, but the edge cases around punctuation tripped me up more than I expected.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

Given an array of author objects, write a function that returns a sentence listing their full names with proper Oxford-comma formatting, ending with 'are authors.'

Algorithms & Data Structures
Author's notes

Looked simple and I almost didn't think twice about it.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Clarify the input format and edge cases (empty array, single author, missing name fields) before coding. Then design a function that extracts full names, joins them with commas and 'and' according to Oxford comma rules, and appends 'are authors.' Test with various inputs to ensure correctness.

Pro tip: Mention that you would use a helper function to format the list of names, making the code reusable and testable. Also, discuss how you would handle internationalization or localization if the sentence needs to be translated.

1. Clarify requirements and edge cases

Ask about the structure of author objects (e.g., firstName, lastName), expected output for 0, 1, 2, and 3+ authors, and whether the Oxford comma is always required. Confirm if the sentence should end with a period.

2. Design the algorithm

Outline a plan: map authors to full names, then format the list based on its length. For 0 authors, return an empty string or a specific message; for 1, return the name; for 2, join with ' and '; for 3+, join all but last with ', ', then add ', and ' before the last name.

3. Implement the function

Write clean code with clear variable names. Use array methods like map, slice, and join. Handle potential missing fields gracefully (e.g., default to empty string).

4. Test with representative cases

Run through examples: empty array, one author, two authors, three authors, and authors with missing names. Verify the output matches the expected Oxford comma format and ends with 'are authors.'

5. Discuss complexity and improvements

State that the time complexity is O(n) for n authors. Mention possible enhancements like input validation, localization support, or using a library for list formatting.

Key Points to Mention

  • Oxford comma rules: for three or more items, use a comma before the conjunction 'and'.
  • Edge cases: empty array, single author, two authors, and authors with missing or incomplete name fields.
  • Time and space complexity: O(n) time and O(n) space for the output string.
  • Code readability: use descriptive variable names and helper functions for formatting.
  • Testing: include unit tests for various input sizes and edge cases.
  • Localization: consider that list formatting may vary by locale (e.g., some languages use different conjunctions or punctuation).

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.