Count the set bits
A permissions field packs flags into an integer, and the audit log reports how many are switched on.
- Only non-negative numbers have a meaningful flag count here.
- A negative input gives -1.
CountSetBits(amount: int) → int
C# needs a compiler and Drill does not host one yet, so this page is the reference rather than an exercise: the problem, worked examples, and the solution in full. To type it out, the same problem runs in Python.
Where you start
public int CountSetBits(int amount) {
}Worked examples
| Call | Result |
|---|---|
CountSetBits(0) | 0 |
CountSetBits(7) | 3 |
CountSetBits(255) | 8 |
CountSetBits(1024) | 1 |
Hint
Test the lowest bit, then shift right. Or the trick: n & (n - 1) clears exactly one set bit.
Reference solution in C#
public int CountSetBits(int amount) {
if (amount < 0) return -1;
int n = amount, bits = 0;
while (n > 0) { n &= n - 1; bits++; }
return bits;
}