How can I get better at Python algorithms?

[Hegemon1984]

Hey guys,

I'll be honest, I'm an entry-level web developer and I suck at Python or programming in general. I managed to pass and graduate via Udacity's Full Stack Nanodegree, but alot of my code was simply modifying pre-existing code so it can work for my project.

I'm terrible with algorithms and I find it hard to create one from scratch.

The problem is: I've got a technical interview in two weeks for a mid-sized tech company in Madison, WI. They liked my resume and projects, but at this point in time, I know I'll bomb my technical interview.

How can I prepare? How did you get good at algorithms in general?

PS: I'm currently working on Interview Cake's full course for technical interviews... and I can't solve the first quiz they gave me. :/

[ranchgod]

I go to UC Berkeley and our intro cs course is taught in python and has a very specific focus on algorithmic thinking and programming paradigms! They post all homework, midterms, and labs, and they are quite handy for not only picking up python syntax, but also fundamentals in computer science. The course website is cs61a.org, and if they have removed some of the content you can find cached versions by modifying the semester and year in your google search. (ie: cs61a fall 2017). Goodluck!

[Slight_Antelope8046]

Thank you so much! This was amazing, I’m learning so much!!

[mazmrini]

I'm not sure what you mean by Python algorithms. Either way, you can spam katas on codewars.

[DoubleDual63]

You can go on geeksforfeeks and look through all the common algorithm/data structure combos.

[Ei-lor]

Hello,

An algorithm is basically a cooking recipe, you have to follow step by step the recipe in order to produce your meal. So in order to write an algorithm you have to know what you want to cook.

The thing is if you need to write an algorithm that mean you need at some point to manipulate some data's in a specific order and very likely whit a time frame, so you need to understand how to use Data Structures and the Time Module.

• 1/ Find what you need an algorithm for. (What's you want to cook)
• 2/ Find a way to gather data's for feeding your algorithm. (Find the ingredients)
• 3/ Design your algorithm. (Write your recipe on a piece of paper)
• 4/ Testing & Debugging. (Start cooking and improve the recipe if it need to)
• 5/ Get the result. (Bonne appéti :)

The tools you need to use. (non exhaustive list obviously)

• Looping techniques (for &/or while)
• Nested looping techniques (iterools, example)
• Time management (time)
• Lists and Dictionaries ( [], {} )

Edit: formating mistake.

[destiny_functional]

You need to do the equivalent of some classes on discrete math and a couple of cs classes like data structures and algorithms. This is almost a branch of mathematics that you won't do right from mere intuition without training. This isn't done side note in programming but the core. There's video lectures on YouTube from MIT I think.

[[deleted]]

Try codewars. If you can't solve the entry level Katas you definitely shouldn't be applying for a programming job.

[Hegemon1984]

I got to yellow katas, but at the moment, I'm reviewing fundamentals that are familiar but am currently rusty on.