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The ultimate guide for data structures & algorithm interviews 🔥

Rahul Arora on March 06, 2021

By Rahul Arora, Founder Intervue -- Why you should read this? There are N number of directions to go into when preparing for a technic...

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Shaiju T • Mar 7 '21

Nice 😄, I want to start from scratch as beginner. Do we need to know any theory about data structure before starting to practice problems in your post ?

Also can I have solutions in C# or atleast Java ?

Rahul Arora • Mar 7 '21

@Shaiju: You can read little bit theory alongside solving the problem statements.
I have tried to add explanation to as many questions as possible as well. So, it will help cover the theoretical part as well. Do not spend too much time reading theory. Handson is the best way to learn and hence this guide is ultimate.

I will try adding solutions in Python and Javascript. Will see if Java can be accomodated then.
Right now converting C to Java will not be a big deal since most of the solutions are straight forward.

Shaiju T • Mar 7 '21 • Edited

Thanks, I have 6 years of software development experience. I am not good at c language and data structure algorithms. Is it good start now using Java instead ?

Suppose I choose to join big companies at 10 + years of experience, is it good to join them after 10 years, still the interview will consist of these type of DS problems ?

Rahul Arora • Mar 7 '21 • Edited

@Shaiju:
Big companies at 10+ years of experience will concentrate more on design problems. If you are India focused, leading a project and all aspects related to it might count as well depending on the role and the company. If you are abroad chances are more that you can still get to code. DS/Algo is then the way to go.

Also, learning DS/Algo and developing an instinct always helps when thinking of a solution in a real job.

If you are at 6+ years, you can easily prepare in about 2 months time given you give 1 hour or so everyday. If you apply after that, product companies will definitely ask DS/Algo.

DS/Algo is mostly language agnostic. It does not matter whether you know C or not. Whatever language you are comfortable with, you can start solving the problem in that.

Shaiju T • Mar 7 '21

Thank you. Appreciate. :)

Shaiju T • Mar 7 '21

Also I saw below course from educative. It claims to prepare for DS coding interview by learning them to apply in real world projects.

try.educative.io/decode-coding-int...

Is that course better to learn than this post ?

Rahul Arora • Mar 7 '21

That is what the intended purpose of this post is at the first place. As I said, there are N number of ways to go about preparing for a technical interview.
This is one way and you do not have to digress.

I can tell you two things about a course that makes it different:

Content
Direction that it gives you

This post has both the things. I have seen people learning from geeks for geeks and numerous other websites online and cracking interviews.
The thing with DS/Algo is that you just need to start and go in a direction. Post that you do not need courses.

Regarding the educative course - Looks comprehensive as well. But you do not need to know more than given in the post honestly to crack an interview.