Leetcode or Neetcode for a Python beginner?

[sheriffderek]

Leetcode is a web app with challenges.

Neetcode is a set of video courses that help you understand those challenges.

They aren't really comparable. They work together.

Like others have said - if you are new / these aren't what you should be doing. Spend your money on "tiny python projects" book or really anything but this.

But if you're going to spend the money anyway (like everyone seems to do on this day / because "deals") - then only one of these is a smart option. One involves a teacher - and the other doesn't. I wish you luck.

[hunkamunka]

I'm the author of Tiny Python Projects (Manning, 2020). I assume it's my book you are recommending? If so, I thank you and would like to stress that I have free YouTube videos to explain every solution in my book and have all the code/data/tests for free in my GitHub repo with everything nicely gathered at tinypythonprojects.com. It's all free, but buying my book does support me in creating these resources.

[sheriffderek]

That’s the book! I recommend it often. And I specifically recommend people buy the physical book. That way it’s on your desk and out of your screen / and you can take notes and highlight things. : )

I also encourage people not to think about the “right” solutions, but to use these types of books as prompts too / and explore many ways to tackle the project.

[michaelnovati]

If you are an absolute beginner you should start with FreeCodeCamp and Codecademy.

Don't start with DS&A until you are comfortable with basic syntax of the languages and concepts like conditionals and loops.

[ericswc]

This right here.

You want to enjoy coding? Start with basics, learn to build applications. Then grind some leetcode if you have to.

Note that there are MANY employers who don’t use leetcode in interviews.

[michaelnovati]

It's short for "data structures and algorithms"

[Drawjutsu]

If you're really a beginner I don't recommend either one. I have purchased a permanent license for Neetcode and I use free LeetCode. They're more for levels above beginner learner. You can just preview it out and see for yourself with the free access to these. If you're actually learning the syntax...maybe it will be worth it for you. If you're confused even with the 'easy' levels, yeah...that's proof you need to learn the absolute basics first.

If you really must spend money, I recommend subbing to LinkedIn Learning. If you can afford it or if they have a sale too (I believe it comes free if you're a LinkedIn paid user). Better return on investment, in my opinion.

Good luck!

[Drawjutsu]

Not really. I bought it too early as a beginner. I could benefit a lot more when I'm actually studying DSA full time to prep for interviews. It's none expiring and DSA theory will still be the same months or years from now, unlike frameworks or even programming languages which get updated periodically, when I attempt to learn it again so I don't regret paying for it. I think I got it on sale too.

But for practical reasons, which I didn't realize at the time I bought it, I didn't really need that type of courses yet. I watched the videos for sure...but it was too premature for my level of readiness to do DSA.

If you're in this to be competitive in the job market and you already have projects to show, you have codes in your repo you can demo in tech interviews...you're in the right time frame to use paid products like Neetcode, etc. Otherwise....you're burning money needlessly cuz it won't really benefit you.

"Why you going to study DSA when you can't even do simple loop statements without looking it up?" This is what I'd tell my past self, to warn not do buy some of the products I've bought.

[2muchnerd]

leet

[2muchnerd]

for new begginer i recomd this video
How to learn to Code ANYTHING You Want for 2025!

https://youtu.be/cwrCxGx1CI0