counting_valleys.py

#!/bin/python3

import math
import os
import random
import re
import sys

#
# Complete the 'countingValleys' function below.
#
# The function is expected to return an INTEGER.
# The function accepts following parameters:
#  1. INTEGER steps
#  2. STRING path
#

def countingValleys(steps, path):
    # Write your code here
    valleys = 0
    height = 0
    for value in path:
        if value == "U":
            height += 1
            if height==0:
                valleys+=1
        elif value=="D":
            height -= 1
          
    return valleys
 
if __name__ == '__main__':
    fptr = open(os.environ['OUTPUT_PATH'], 'w')

    steps = int(input().strip())

    path = input()

    result = countingValleys(steps, path)

    fptr.write(str(result) + '\n')

    fptr.close()