GATE DA 2024 Q39: Trace computeS on an array

Consider the function computeS(X) whose pseudocode is given below:

computeS(X)
  S[1] ← 1
  for i ← 2 to length(X)
    S[i] ← 1
    if X[i − 1] ≤ X[i]
      S[i] ← S[i] + S[i − 1]
    end if
  end for
  return S

Which ONE of the following values is returned by the function computeS(X) for X = [6, 3, 5, 4, 10]?

Try it: multiple choice: exactly one correct option

Wrong answer costs 2/3 mark in GATE.

Show answer and explanation

Answer: C (official GATE 2024 final answer key)

Concept used: Tracing a loop: S[i] is the length of the non-decreasing run ending at position i.

First step: Compare each element with the one before it: 6>3 (reset), 3≤5 (extend), 5>4 (reset), 4≤10 (extend).

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Source: official GATE 2024 DA question paper and final answer key, organised by IISc Bangalore. Question paper · Answer key