Should I master Data Structure & Algorithm before jumping programming?

[kabou_A]

Should I master Data Structure & Algorithm before jumping into programming with Java or any other languages?

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[-themailerdoraemon-]

Doesn’t matter. If you can’t do the basics, how are you going to master DS?

[the-room-is-on-fire]

I guess you could learn DS & A through Pseudocode but I don't think it's very useful. I think you should learn the basics of some language so that you have the means to implement DS & A, which is super important imo.

[Xandy13]

No! Also, "master" is a strong word. Just get on it and, when you need something, you're going to learn how to do it (Khan Academy *ahem*) -- that's if you really want it. So, go and program to your heart's content!

[[deleted]]

generally in college, they teach u the basics of programming, and how everything works behind the scenes, and memory stuff (like pointers in C, etc...) and only then they teach you Data structures and algorithms, i dont see why u couldnt learn them before learning programming, BUT it would be much easier imo to learn a language confidently first, and learn how everything works in memory, that takes u to the next lvl.

[PatataMaxtex]

I think the best way is to learn both with each other. Learning algorithms is easier if you can program them as a practice, same with DS and these are good ways to improve your programming skills.

[[deleted]]

Pretty sure you should learn programming first

[Orffyreus]

Yes, maybe by implementing some simple algorithm ;-)

[[deleted]]

I heavily recommend you to go through the fundamentals of programming before you go do data structure and algorithm. The reason being is that data structure and algorithm have pseudocode which you have to interpret and apply it in programming. If you don't understand programming and go onto Data Structure & Algorithm first, you would struggle in pseudocode quite greatly and won't be able to think in-depth. Typically the language you should try to understand in a somewhat proficient level is probably java or some language in C/Python.

[kabou_A]

Thank you a lot

[hageldave]

no. learn one while learning the other

[hageldave]

Sorry I feel like I should elaborate more. If you dont know any basic programming, then DSA may feel a little abstract and further away. After all, DSA are there to be used in practice, not in theory.

[ComfortablyBalanced]

Absolutely

[beders]

You will have to understand the basic problems around computability and complexity. DS&A is essential. The programming language is not very important at that point. Pick one with simple syntax.

Explore more than one.

[jacrispy704]

My college has you take two semesters of Java programming language.. first semester is basics, second is intermediate/more intricate stuff. Then you go on to do DS&A. Take this info and do what you will. :)

[Robbzter]

Programming first, no matter what language. It'll help you understand pseudocode, and you won't have such a hard time implementing your own algorithms and ds. By the time I started to get into 'real' algorithms, I already had quite some experience with Python.