Advent of Code 2024 - Day 19

Hello, Erlang adventurers! :wave: Ukrainian Erlanger is here :metal: once again to tackle today’s challenge, Day 19, where we roll up our sleeves to arrange towels with precision and elegance. :basket::sparkles:

This is a fun puzzle that combines string matching and creative pattern decomposition, making it perfect for Erlang’s recursive power and functional approach.


:bulb: Tips for Tackling Day 19

  • Parse the Input Efficiently: Split the towel patterns and desired designs into manageable data structures (e.g., lists of strings) for easy processing.
  • Pattern Matching: Use recursion to match the towel patterns against the desired designs. Erlang’s pattern-matching capabilities make this a natural fit!
  • Memoization for Speed: To optimize the solution, consider caching intermediate results, especially when checking if a design can be created from the available towels.
  • Iterative Refinement: Start with simple designs, verify your approach, and gradually handle more complex cases.

:sparkles: Erlang Power in Action

Functional elegance is our strength. Let’s fold these towels into the perfect solution! :thread::computer:

This puzzle feels like a satisfying exercise in creative recursion and problem-solving. Share your approaches, insights, and challenges here - whether you’re a veteran Erlanger or exploring for the first time, we’re here to BEAM together!

Happy coding and may your towels always align perfectly! :rocket: