README.md

Task 3bdb4ada: Middle Row Stripe Pattern

Pattern

Find 3-row colored rectangles and apply alternating stripe pattern to middle row.

Algorithm

1. For each row r (up to len-2), scan for consecutive colored cells
2. Check if 3 rows (r, r+1, r+2) have identical colored rectangles
3. In the middle row (r+1), set every odd position (1, 3, 5...) to 0

Key Tricks

Trick	Saves	Description
eval(str(g))	4 bytes	Deep copy vs [r[:]for r in g]
w:=g[r] walrus	1 byte	Assign in condition
w[e:e+1]==[v]	2 bytes	Bounds-safe slice comparison
range(c+1,e,2)	2 bytes	Step 2 vs manual x-c&1 check
c=e or c+1	3 bytes	Handle zero-extent gracefully

Evolution Summary

Gen	Best	Key Discovery
0	517	Initial working solution
1	264	eval(str(g)) deep copy
2	260	Remove R variable
3	258	Slice comparison w[e:e+1]==[v]
5	251	Chain comparison w[c:e]==g[r+1][c:e]==g[r+2][c:e]
7	249	Step 2 in range: range(c+1,e,2)
8	245	Remove C variable
9	241	Enumerate approach
10	240	Inline w assignment
11	239	Walrus operator w:=g[r]

Byte History

Version	Bytes	Score
Initial	517	1,983
Gen 1	264	2,236
Gen 5	251	2,249
Gen 7	249	2,251
Gen 11	239	2,261

Final: 239 bytes (+2,261 points)