leetcode-2055.js

var platesBetweenCandles = function(s, queries) {
  const result = []
  for (let i=0; i < queries.length; i++) {
    const query = queries[i]
    result.push(calculate(s, query[0], query[1]))
  }
  return result
};

function calculate(s, start, end) {
  let foundStart = false
  let foundEnd = false
  while (start <= end && !(foundStart && foundEnd)) {
    if (s[start] === "|") {
      foundStart = true
    } else {
      start++
    }
    if (s[end] === "|") {
      foundEnd = true
    } else {
      end--
    }
  }
  
  let plates = 0
  for (let i=start+1; i < end; i++) {
    if (s[i] === "*") {
      plates++
    }
  }
  return plates
}