6 Resources to Learn Algorithms and Data Structures

Paddy lock
4 min readDec 8, 2016

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Fundamentals are very important, they are the building blocks of anything. No matter what you want to learn, you cannot just simply jump half way in between, but instead you must start at the very beginning to help understand how it came into being.

The same ideology works with computer programming and web development as well. Understanding the basics of programming and development will help build a better understanding of the subject and will allow you to mold it to your particular needs and wants.

The building blocks of programming and development are algorithms. The idea for programming has been devised from these mathematical wonders that solve different problems. It has become essential in understanding programming and development. If you want to master programming, then learning how to create algorithms are a must.

Here are a few resources to refer to to start learning algorithms. A perfect way to start your career in software and web development.

  1. Algorithms and Software Engineering for Professionals

This course is a great way to get started into the field of algorithms and problem solving. You only need to know the basics of programming and you will learn about iterations, time complexity, arrays, different algorithms and so on through this course. This algorithm course compiles everything you need to know and understand about algorithms, basics of data structures and algorithms and software engineering packed in one quaint course. The data structures and algorithms tutorial will help you understand how to create clean and efficient algorithms for your coding.

2. Data Structure and Algorithms Tutorial

This data structure tutorial takes the do-it-yourself approach for people who like a little more challenge. It provides you with a menu of topics on the left hand of the website, which you can go through one by one, mastering each individual topic before moving on to the next. A great part about this tutorial is that it comes with a Try It Box that allows you to mess and check your coding without requiring a proper set up.

3. Intro to Algorithms

This Algorithms course is slightly complex and is marked as an intermediate level course. This Free course is a prerequisite for Udacity’s Full Stack Course, but this is a great introductory course for Algorithms and Data Structures. The best part is that this course will help you learn by breaking down the very famous Kevin Bacon game. You will analyze the game and learn how it works and functions.

4. Algorithms and Data Structures

This is part of a series by the author of the popular e-books, ‘ Data Structures Succinctly Part 1’ and is written by author Robert Horvick. These series might not help you master algorithms or data structures or help you learn software engineering, but it is a great means to get you started. Each topic under this series is covered in great details in text. Sorry, there are no videos and it will require a lot of reading.

5. Introduction to Basic Data Structures and Algorithms

Another great introductory course to help you get started with data structures and algorithms. This blog will breakdown topics such as arrays, linked list, tree, heap, hash table, graph, etc. You will definitely learn a lot with this one. It is specifically great for someone who has no previous background in programming.

6. Master Algorithmic Programming Techniques

For anyone who wants a proper structured course on algorithm and data structures, then this is the perfect course. It requires a fee to enroll and there are select dates on which you can enroll, but it is a great course. Think of this as a professionally designed course, something that you might find in university classrooms.

With the way programming and development is taking over the world, learning these two segments have become a lucrative career aspect. These are just a few of the many resources that are available online to help you learn algorithms, data structures and how to become a software engineer. In case you have any other good resources, please let us know in the comments section below.

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