palindrome.py

'''
Problem
Write a program that reads a string S and find the minimum number r of applications of the function replace(a,b) to form a palindrome.
'''
def main():
    String = input() #Isn't displaying any string while taking input because 
    #if you're using an online judge to check our answers, then, it'd show wrong answer
    #because of this.
    count = i = 0 
    j = len(String)-1
    while i < j: 
        #To be honest, I really wanna know who created the convention of using
        #i and j as indices... I've gotten so used  to it that I can't use any other!
        if String[i] != String[j]:
            count += 1 
            String = String.replace(String[i], String[j])
        i += 1 
        j -= 1 
    print(count)


if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()