# 157. Read N Characters Given Read4

### Description

Given a file and assume that you can only read the file using a given method `read4`, implement a method to read *n* characters.

**Method read4:**

The API `read4` reads 4 consecutive characters from the file, then writes those characters into the buffer array `buf`.

The return value is the number of actual characters read.

Note that `read4()` has its own file pointer, much like `FILE *fp` in C.

**Definition of read4:**

> Parameter: char\[] buf4
>
> Returns: int
>
> Note: buf4\[] is destination not source, the results from read4 will be copied to buf4\[]

Below is a high level example of how `read4` works:

![](https://assets.leetcode.com/uploads/2020/07/01/157_example.png)

```
File file("abcde"); // File is "abcde", initially file pointer (fp) points to 'a'
char[] buf4 = new char[4]; // Create buffer with enough space to store characters
read4(buf4); // read4 returns 4. Now buf = "abcd", fp points to 'e'
read4(buf4); // read4 returns 1. Now buf = "e", fp points to end of file
read4(buf4); // read4 returns 0. Now buf = "", fp points to end of file
```

**Method read:**

By using the `read4` method, implement the method `read` that reads n characters from the file and store it in the buffer array `buf`. Consider that you **cannot** manipulate the file directly.

The return value is the number of actual characters read.

**Definition of read:**

> Parameters: char\[] buf, int n
>
> Returns: int
>
> Note: buf\[] is destination not source, you will need to write the results to buf\[]

**Note:**

* Consider that you **cannot** manipulate the file directly, the file is only accesible for `read4` but **not** for `read`.
* The `read` function will only be called once for each test case.
* You may assume the destination buffer array, `buf`, is guaranteed to have enough space for storing *n* characters.

### Constraints

### Approach

### Links

* GeeksforGeeks
* [Leetcode](https://leetcode.com/problems/read-n-characters-given-read4/)
* ProgramCreek
* YouTube

### **Examples**

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Example 1" %}
**Input:** file = "abc", n = 4

**Output:** 3

**Explanation:** After calling your read method, buf should contain "abc". We read a total of 3 characters from the file, so return 3. Note that "abc" is the file's content, not buf. buf is the destination buffer that you will have to write the results to.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Example 2" %}
**Input:** file = "abcde", n = 5

**Output:** 5

**Explanation:** After calling your read method, buf should contain "abcde". We read a total of 5 characters from the file, so return 5.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Example 3" %}
**Input:** file = "abcdABCD1234", n = 12

**Output:** 12

**Explanation:** After calling your read method, buf should contain "abcdABCD1234". We read a total of 12 characters from the file, so return 12.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Example 4" %}
**Input:** file = "leetcode", n = 5

**Output:** 5

**Explanation:** After calling your read method, buf should contain "leetc". We read a total of 5 characters from the file, so return 5.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

### **Solutions**

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Solution 1" %}

```java
/**
 * Time complexity : 
 * Space complexity : 
 */

/**
 * The read4 API is defined in the parent class Reader4.
 *     int read4(char[] buf4);
 */

public class Solution extends Reader4 {
    /**
     * @param buf Destination buffer
     * @param n   Number of characters to read
     * @return    The number of actual characters read
     */
    
    public int read(char[] buf, int n) {
        char[] buf4 = new char[4];
        int buffSize = 0;
        boolean eof = false;
        
        while(!eof && buffSize < n) {
            int size = read4(buf4);
            
            eof = size < 4;

            size = Math.min(size, n-buffSize);

            for(int i = 0; i < size; i++) {
                buf[buffSize++] = buf4[i];
            }
        }
        
        return buffSize;
    }
}
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

### **Follow up**

*


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