#0229

Compare Semantic Versions

MediumPython25 min20 XP

Problem

Compare version strings like "1.2.0" and "1.10". Return -1, 0, or 1.

Why This Matters

Version comparison is a real parsing task where string comparison gives wrong answers, such as 1.10 vs 1.2.

Function Signature

def compare_versions(a, b):

Examples

Example 1

Inputa = "1.10", b = "1.2.9"

Output1

The second part 10 is greater than 2, so 1.10 is newer.

Constraints

Return the exact requested value.
Handle edge cases cleanly.
Prefer readable Python before micro-optimizing.

CodePython

def compare_versions(a, b):
    """
    Input example: a = "1.10", b = "1.2.9"
    Return: 1
    Return the value from the function so the tests can compare it. Do not print unless the prompt asks.
    """
    # write your code here
    return 0

def compare_versions(a, b):
    """
    Input example: a = "1.10", b = "1.2.9"
    Return: 1
    Return the value from the function so the tests can compare it. Do not print unless the prompt asks.
    """
    # write your code here
    return 0

Visible browser tests run here when available.

Testcases1 visible / 3 hidden categories

Core example

Inputa = "1.10", b = "1.2.9"

Expected1

The second part 10 is greater than 2, so 1.10 is newer.

Hidden Test Categories

equal with trailing zerosshorter left versionlarger patch version