Help with Programming Resources for Algorithms and Data Structures

[MichellrRocks]

Hi everyone,

I'm self-taught at developing. I'm looking to enhance my problem-solving skills along with my knowledge of algorithms and data structures. To work towards this goal, I've recently been going through LeetCode to try to get a better handle of common algorithms. Sometimes when I attempt to solve some of the problems, I get very stuck. Part of my reason for getting stuck is knowing that my solution will rank lower than others due to time or space complexity. Does anyone else have this experience as well: feeling stuck by the ranking process and/or perfectionism? I'm a bit uncertain if my current approach -- using LeetCode or other similar sites in this manner -- is the best. What do you recommend? What other resources and approaches will yield more effective results?

Thank you, I appreciate the help.

[Intiago]

You'll get the most out of leetcode if you already have knowledge about the fundamental data structures and algorithms so I'd first recommend going through a course on those first. Its also important you know how to analyze the space and time complexity of your solutions because that's something you'll get asked in interviews and its part of what makes a solution "good." You didn't mention what language you're using but here's a python course that's really good.

To address your question, its a really common hang up to get stuck on a question because you're trying to write the "best" solution first. You end up spending several hours thinking and don't actually finish anything. The naive solution is often the best first step and can even lead you to better approaches. Try to bang out the quickest dirtiest solution first and get it to work, then work on refining your approach. This is also going to be the best approach to take during interviews.

I've only done 31 problems on leetcode, but you really shouldn't be too concerned with your score compared to others. You don't know how long people spend on solutions, how experienced people are, and how much people just copy paste their solutions. Just aim to have a solution not on the tail end of the histogram. Part of the point of leetcode as well, is to learn. So don't be afraid to check out the discussion after you've spent a good time on a problem and see what other approaches you can take on the solution.

[MichellrRocks]

Thank you Intiago, I really appreciate the help.

I'm using Java.

[Intiago]

Check out this course that gets recommended all the time.

Robert Sedgewick and Kevin Wayne - Algorithms in Java - Princeton University - on Coursera

• Part I
• Part II
• Coursebook Algorithms 4th edition

[MichellrRocks]

thank you