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Combinations Algorithm

 
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I have a few Lists of Strings. for example:

List<String> AList contains {"a1","a2","a3","a4"}
List<String> BList contains {"b1","b2","b3"}
List<String> CList contains {"c1","c2","c3","c4","c5"}
List<String> DList contains {"d1","d2"}

so on and so forth. The number of lists is variable and number of Strings in the list is also variable. I want to write a code that returns ALL POSSIBLE combinations under the following conditions:

1) each set contains at least two elements. In this example the each set will contain 2 to 5 elements. - example: {"a1","b1"} or {"c2","b3","d2"}
2) each element in a set is from different lists - example: {"c1","c4"} or {"b1","b2","a4"} both are invalid.
3) each set has unique combination of elements - example: {"a3", "d2", "b4"} is equivalent to {"d2", "a3", "b4"} hence if {"a3", "d2", "b4"} is returned in the results {"d2", "a3", "b4"} should not be returned.

Please help.

Regards,
B Phadnis
 
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Scala Monad Java
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You can generate combinations selecting one from each list with a recursive approach (Excluding your first condition; I don't know how you can get a list of 5 elements from 4 lists without duplicates).

Problem:
create a method that accepts a list of lists and returns the combinations as list of lists.
For example, {{1, 2}, {3, 4, 5}} to {{1, 3}, {1, 4}, {1, 5}, {2, 3}, {2,4}, {2,5}}

Algorithm with pseudo code


Turning this into Java statements is straightforward.
Here is the code (Hope you would try your own and would require this only to compare with your solution )

 
Sheriff
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Marimuthu, please LetThemDoTheirOwnHomework. In other words, don't provide full solutions. Your pseudo code should be enough help. I removed the other code.
 
Marimuthu Madasamy
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Right Rob Prime. The pseudo code should do. Just provided the code for reference.
 
Bhuvnesh Phadnis
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Thank you Marimuthu Madasamy and Rob Prime. I never expect anyone to spoon-feed me the solution. I completely agree with Rob Prime. My intention here is to initiate a discussion or get some pointers or some hints. Again, thank you for your inputs.

I must say that the solution suggested by Marimuthu Madasamy isn't the complete solution but definitely points to the right direction and is much appreciated. The suggested solution gives sets of 2 which is fine. I mean linear (like {"a1","b3","c2"} or{"b1","c3","d2"}) and paired combinations are easy. The real difficulty is to get a solution like {"a1","b3","d2"} . How to get a combination of more than two with elements from at least one list missing?

I am sure I am not the first one to come across this problem. So if someone has seen this or done this or read about this, please post some pointers. I would like to know if there is any material to study for this.

Thank you,
B Phadnis
 
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