Preparing for SDE interviews, I found algorithm practice to be the most time-consuming part. When I first started, those complex problems looked like hieroglyphics - totally overwhelming! But through trial and error, I discovered some effective ways to improve algorithm skills faster. Here's my journey.
Building the Foundation: The basics are crucial. Early on, I realized that knowing data structures and algorithms inside out makes all the difference. I focused intensely on:
1. Core structures: arrays, linked lists, stacks, graphs
2. Essential algorithms: binary search, DP, DFS/BFS
I didn't just read about them - I implemented each repeatedly. On LeetCode, I'd pick easy problems and solve them multiple times until the patterns became second nature.
My Breakthrough Strategy: What helped was systematic practice:
1. Pseudocode first: Sketching solutions before coding
2. Category-by-category: Mastering arrays before moving to DP
3. Complexity analysis: Calculating time/space for every solution
4. Solution optimization: Always asking "Can I do better?"
I still remember the first time I optimized a O(n²) solution to O(n) - that "aha!" moment kept me going.
Mock Interviews - The Game Changer: Practicing alone wasn't enough. Mock interviews transformed me:
1. Whiteboard coding skills
2. Problem explanation ability
3. Interview stamina
The feedback was brutal but invaluable. My first mock was a disaster - I froze on a basic tree problem. But by the fifth one, I could articulate my thought process clearly.
The Reality Check: Here's the truth no one tells you:
1. 10 problems/day is a myth - quality > quantity
2. Progress feels slow until it suddenly clicks
3. Every wrong solution teaches you something
I used to get discouraged seeing others' progress, until I realized my 1-2 quality solutions/day were building real skills.
Final Advice
1. Start early - this takes months, not weeks
2. Focus on patterns, not memorization
3. Embrace the struggle - confusion means you're learning
The process taught me more than algorithms. It built problem-solving muscles I use daily as an engineer. Remember, every expert was once a beginner staring at a problem they couldn't solve. Keep going!
Release time:2025-04-08
