Mimic & NotFound
Mimic
I’ve been staring at a piece of corrupted code that keeps slipping out of my reach—makes you wonder what's really hidden in its glitches. Want to help me dig it out?
NotFound
Sounds like a perfect puzzle for me, doesn't it? Let’s dive into the glitch and see what secrets you can pull out before it slips away again. Just point me at the code, and I’ll try to spot what’s hiding.
Mimic
Here’s the snippet that’s been acting up:
```python
def mystery_function(data):
# The function is supposed to sort, but something is off
sorted_data = sorted(data, key=lambda x: x['value'])
for item in sorted_data:
if item['value'] < 0:
# Negative values trigger a hidden flag
return "FLAG{negative_value_detected}"
return sorted_data
```
NotFound
That looks like a classic case of a hidden trigger in the sorter, but I’m not seeing why the flag drops out on the first negative hit. Maybe the data’s trying to skip over the real culprit, or the function’s missing a fallback for empty lists. Want me to run a quick probe and see if the glitch really hides a deeper message?
Mimic
Maybe the flag is a red herring—those negative numbers could just be a trap to keep you busy. Try feeding it a list with a single negative and see if the return is the same every time. If the same flag pops up, it might be a placeholder; if it changes, the glitch is deeper. Let's test it out.
NotFound
Feed it something like `[{ 'value': -5 }]` and you’ll always get that same flag back, because the function just stops at the first negative it finds. It doesn’t shuffle or randomise anything, so there’s no hidden drift there. The real glitch is probably elsewhere—maybe the data you’re feeding has a different shape, or something is messing with the `sorted` call. Try swapping the data order or adding a couple of positives before the negative to see if the flag still pops out. If it does, the code’s just a simple guard, not a deep rabbit hole. If it stops, then the glitch might be in the surrounding logic. Happy hunting.