> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://chiragjain.gitbook.io/neetcode/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://chiragjain.gitbook.io/neetcode/2055-plates-between-candles.md).

# 2055. Plates Between Candles

## Medium

***

There is a long table with a line of plates and candles arranged on top of it. You are given a **0-indexed** string `s` consisting of characters `'*'` and `'|'` only, where a `'*'` represents a **plate** and a `'|'` represents a **candle**.

You are also given a **0-indexed** 2D integer array `queries` where `queries[i] = [lefti, righti]` denotes the **substring** `s[lefti...righti]` (**inclusive**). For each query, you need to find the **number** of plates **between candles** that are **in the substring**. A plate is considered **between candles** if there is at least one candle to its left **and** at least one candle to its right **in the substring**.

* For example, `s = "||**||**|*"`, and a query `[3, 8]` denotes the substring `"*||`**`**`**`|"`. The number of plates between candles in this substring is `2`, as each of the two plates has at least one candle **in the substring** to its left **and** right.

Return *an integer array* `answer` *where* `answer[i]` *is the answer to the* `ith` *query*.

 

**Example 1:**

![ex-1](https://assets.leetcode.com/uploads/2021/10/04/ex-1.png)

<pre><code>Input: s = "**|**|***|", queries = [[2,5],[5,9]]
<strong>Output:
</strong> [2,3]
<strong>Explanation:
</strong>- queries[0] has two plates between candles.
- queries[1] has three plates between candles.
</code></pre>

**Example 2:**

![ex-2](https://assets.leetcode.com/uploads/2021/10/04/ex-2.png)

<pre><code>Input: s = "***|**|*****|**||**|*", queries = [[1,17],[4,5],[14,17],[5,11],[15,16]]
<strong>Output:
</strong> [9,0,0,0,0]
<strong>Explanation:
</strong>- queries[0] has nine plates between candles.
- The other queries have zero plates between candles.
</code></pre>

&#x20;

**Constraints:**

* `3 <= s.length <= 105`
* `s` consists of `'*'` and `'|'` characters.
* `1 <= queries.length <= 105`
* `queries[i].length == 2`
* `0 <= lefti <= righti < s.length`