String Calculator Kata
The following is a TDD Kata, an exercise in coding, refactoring and test-first, that you should apply daily for at least 15-30 minutes.
Before you start
- Try not to read ahead.
- Do one task at a time. The trick is to learn to work incrementally.
- Make sure you only test for correct inputs. There is no need to test for invalid inputs for this kata.
The kata
Step 1: the simplest thing
Create a simple String calculator with a method int add(String numbers).
- The string argument can contain 0, 1 or 2 numbers, and will return their sum (for an empty string it will return 0) for example
""or"1"or"1,2". - Start with the simplest test case of an empty string and move to 1 and two numbers.
- Remember to solve things as simply as possible so that you force yourself to write tests you did not think about.
- Remember to refactor after each passing test.
Step 2: handle an unknown amount of numbers
Allow the add() method to handle an unknown amount of numbers.
Step 3: handle new lines between numbers
Allow the add() method to handle new lines between numbers (instead of commas).
- the following input is ok:
"1\n2,3"(will equal 6) - the following input is NOT ok:
"1,\n"(not need to prove it - just clarifying)
Step 4: support different delimiters
Support different delimiters: to change a delimiter, the beginning of the string will contain a separate line that looks like this:
"//[delimiter]\n[numbers...]"
For example "//;\n1;2" should return 3 where the default delimiter is ';'.
The first line is optional.
All existing scenarios should still be supported.
Step 5: negative numbers
Calling add() with a negative number will throw an exception "negatives not allowed" - and the negative that was passed.
For example add("1,4,-1") should throw an exception with the message "negatives not allowed: -1".
If there are multiple negatives, show all of them in the exception message.
Step 6: ignore big numbers
Numbers bigger than 1000 should be ignored, so adding 2 + 1001 = 2
General requirements
- Use whatever language and frameworks you want. Use something that you know well.
- Provide a README with instructions on how to compile and run the application.
IMPORTANT: Implement the requirements focusing on writing the best code you can produce.
CODE SUBMISSION: Add the code to your own Github account and send us the link.
Credits to Roy Osherove for the original idea.