POOPLE ANSWERS

APRIL 15, 2026 · PUZZLE #244

JAVA to POOP.

One shortest route in 7 moves.

00
JAVA
START
01
LAVA
LETTER 1
02
LAMA
LETTER 3
03
LAMP
LETTER 4
04
CAMP
LETTER 1
05
COMP
LETTER 2
06
COOP
LETTER 3
07
POOP
GOAL

Why this route takes 7 moves

JAVA and POOP differ in 4 letter positions. The shortest accepted-word route needs 3 additional moves; the first and third letters change more than once.

Start by changing the first letter: JAVA → LAVA. Near the goal, COOP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its first letter.

Every letter change

  1. JAVA → LAVA: change letter 1 from J to L.
  2. LAVA → LAMA: change letter 3 from V to M.
  3. LAMA → LAMP: change letter 4 from A to P.
  4. LAMP → CAMP: change letter 1 from L to C.
  5. CAMP → COMP: change letter 2 from A to O.
  6. COMP → COOP: change letter 3 from M to O.
  7. COOP → POOP: change letter 1 from C to P.
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