[220218] Remove K Digits

Given string num representing a non-negative integer num, and an integer k, return the smallest possible integer after removing k digits from num.

class Solution:
    def removeKdigits(self, num, k):

        # stack
        res = []

        for n in num:
            # pop larger numbers on higher places
            while res and k and res[-1] > n:
                res.pop()
                k -= 1

            # get rid of leading zeroes
            if res or n is not '0':
                res.append(n)

        # remaining k digits
        if k:
            res = res[0:-k]

        return ''.join(res) or '0'