10 Resources to Master Data Structures and Algorithms in 2024

My favorite resources to learn and master Data structures and algorithms for coding interviews

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Hello guys, Mastering Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) is one of the most crucial steps in becoming a proficient software developer. These concepts form the backbone of problem-solving in programming and are essential for performing well in coding interviews and building efficient, scalable applications.

Whether you’re aiming to land a job at a top tech company or simply want to improve your problem-solving skills, understanding DSA is indispensable.

If you want to learn DSA well or want to improve your algorithmic skills and looking for best resources then you have come to the right place. In the past, I have shared best DSA courses, books, platforms, and interview questions and in this article I will share best of them in one article.

The internet is filled with courses, tutorials, books, and platforms dedicated to helping you understand these critical concepts but its not easy to find the right resources.

In this article, I have curated a list of ten top-tier resources that will guide you through the intricacies of data structures and algorithms, helping you build a solid foundation.

From interactive courses that provide hands-on experience to comprehensive textbooks that delve into the theory behind each algorithm, there’s no shortage of materials to choose from.

The knowledge gained from mastering these topics allows you to write optimized code, reduce time complexity, and make informed decisions about data organization, all of which are key to developing high-quality software.

The journey to mastering DSA can be challenging, but with the right resources, it becomes much more manageable. So what are we waiting for, let’s start.

Btw, if you are in hurry then I highly recommend you to join Algomonster.com, a new platform which is created by ex Google Engineers and they will teach you essential coding interview patterns, algorithms and data structure you need to crack FAANG interviews. I really like both the platform and content and its also not costly.

13 Best Resources to Learn and Master Data Structures and Algorithms in 2024

As I said, mastering data structures and algorithms (DSA) is a cornerstone for anyone aspiring to excel in programming, especially when preparing for technical interviews at top tech companies.

However, it's not easy to prepare for Data structures and algorithms, especially if you don’t have the right resources.

I learned all by data structures and algorithms by following multiple resources as different people explain concepts differently and when you learn from multiple people you understand better.

It take some time but thing eventually fall in place but I won’t lie, it was hard to master recursive and advanced data structures like Graphs, Heaps, Dynamic programming etc.

That’s why I am sharing multiple resources for you, below is a curated list of the top 10 resources that will help you master DSA:

1. Udemy: Data Structures and Algorithms: Deep Dive Using Java

This is a comprehensive course by Tim Buchalaka , this course offers in-depth coverage of DSA, making it perfect for both beginners and those looking to brush up on their skills.

This course covers both basic and advanced data structures like:

string
array
hash table
binary tree
priority queue

It also cover essential search and sort algorithms, tree traversal algorithms and popular coding problems using DSA. If you like Udemy courses then this is one of the best course to learn DSA with Java on Udemy.

Here is the link to join this course — Udemy: Data Structures and Algorithms: Deep Dive Using Java

2. Educative: Grokking the Coding Interview

Educative.io is an interactive platform offers a rich set of courses, including their popular “Grokking the Coding Interview” course, which is known for breaking down complex problems into understandable parts.

This course will teach you all the coding problems like sliding window, two pointers, fast and slow pointers, k-way merge and BFS and DFS which can be used to solved 100s of LeetCode problems.

Here are some of the coding patterns from the course

3. AlgoMonster.com

This is one of my favorite place to learn DSA for interviews. AlgoMonster offers a platform dedicated to learning DSA through pattern-based problem-solving, which is crucial for tackling coding interviews efficiently.

Created by ex Google engineer, this platform provides most structure way to prepare for coding interviews. They also have great flow charts which can be used to build a process to select the right data structure for right problem.

At AlgoMonster, you will also master the key patterns to solve any coding interview problem. They also offer AI powered personalized learning which improves learning experience

Here is the link to join this program — Subscribe AlgoMonster.com

4. Design Gurus: Grokking Data Structures & Algorithms for Coding Interviews

While focusing on system design and best known for their legendary “Grokking the System Design Interview” course, Design Gurus also offers a solid foundation in DSA with problem-solving patterns that are highly applicable in technical interviews.

In this comprehensive course, you will learn the principles, usage, and implementation of various data structures, along with their time and space complexities.

There are multiple coding problems for each data structure and is tailored for coding interviews.

By the end of this course, you will learn about selecting and applying the most suitable data structure for any coding problem, ensuring optimized code performance.

Here is the link to join this DSA course — Grokking Data Structures & Algorithms for Coding Interviews

By the way, DesignGurus.io has many other Grokking courses to prepare for essential coding interview topics like OOP Design, System Design, Dynamic Programming etc and you can get access to all of their courses for a big discount by joining their All course bundle. You can also use code GURU to get 30% discount.

5. Coursera: Data Structures and Algorithms Specialization

Coursera offers a specialization in DSA by the University of California San Diego, which covers a broad range of topics through practical coding assignments.

If you prefer a detailed and comprehensive course on Data Structure then you can join this course, its a great resource to learn DSA fundamentals

6. CodeCademy: Learn Data Structures and Algorithms

CodeCademy provides an interactive learning environment, where you can practice coding in real-time while learning key DSA concepts. I really like the byte size concepts which Codecademy share.

By completing this course, you will be able to:

Recognize the differences between a data structure and an algorithm
Create and manipulate data structures such as linked lists, queues, hash maps, graphs, and more in Python
Understand the characteristics of various advanced algorithms as well as be able to implement them in Python
Analyze the space and time complexity of different data structures and algorithms

7. FreeCodeCamp: Data Structures and Algorithms Certification

FreeCodeCamp offers a free and comprehensive certification course covering DSA, where you can learn and practice at your own pace.

In the free JavaScript Algorithm and Data Structures Certification, you’ll learn the fundamentals of JavaScript including variables, arrays, objects, loops, and functions.

Once you have the fundamentals down, you’ll apply that knowledge by creating algorithms to manipulate strings, factorialize numbers, and even calculate the orbit of the International Space Station.

Along the way, you’ll also learn two important programming styles or paradigms: Object Oriented Programming (OOP) and Functional Programming (FP).

They also have multiple Data structure and algorithms video on YouTube which you can watch for free . You also get a certificate like below:

8. YouTube: Abdul Bari’s Data Structures and Algorithms Course

If you watch YouTube videos on technical topic then you have come across Abdul Bari, a great tutor and Udemy instructor of popular Mastering Data Structures & Algorithms using C and C++ when it comes to learn Data Structures and Algorithms.

Abdul Bari’s YouTube channel is renowned for its clear and concise explanations of complex DSA topics, making it a great free resource.

YouTube Link

9. Book: Introduction to Algorithms (CLRS)

Books are another great resource to learn Data structures and algorithms and “Introduction to Algorithms” by Cormen, Leiserson, Rivest, and Stein is a must-have textbook for anyone serious about DSA.

It offers detailed explanations of a wide range of algorithms, accompanied by mathematical rigor and practical exercises. The new 4th Edition is one of the best book in DSA currently.

10. LeetCode

LeetCode is a must-visit resource for anyone serious about mastering DSA. It provides a vast collection of coding problems, categorized by difficulty, which are essential for interview preparation.

LeetCode Link

11. Book: The Algorithm Design Manual

This is another must read book on data structure and algorithms for senior developers. “The Algorithm Design Manual” by Steven S. Skiena is another excellent resource that combines theory with practical advice.

It is particularly useful for understanding how to approach complex algorithmic problems in real-world scenarios. Though, if you only need free DSA books, you can see here.

12. Visualizing Data Structures and Algorithms with Visualgo

VisuAlgo is an interactive platform that allows you to visualize data structures and algorithms. It provides a step-by-step walkthrough of how various algorithms work, making it easier to understand their behavior and performance.

This tool is especially useful for visual learners and those who want to see the immediate impact of their code.

VisuAlgo — https://visualgo.net/en/

13. ZTM Academy: Master the Coding Interview: Big Tech (FAANG) Interview

This course is part of the ZTM Academy by Andrei Neagoie and provides hands-on practice with real coding problems, focusing on practical applications of DSA concepts.

If you are aiming for software engineer roles on FAANG or MAANG companies like Google and Meta then you should join this cousre, its a great resource for that.

Conclusion

That’s all about the best resources to learn Data Structures and Algorithms in 2024. Mastering data structures and algorithms is a journey that requires dedication and practice.

With these best resources, you’ll be well on your way to not only understanding DSA concepts but also applying them effectively in coding interviews and real-world applications.

These resources provide a comprehensive path to mastering data structures and algorithms. By leveraging a mix of interactive courses, practice platforms, and in-depth textbooks, you can build a robust understanding of DSA, setting yourself up for success in your programming career and technical interviews.

Whether you prefer interactive courses, problem-solving platforms, or video tutorials, there’s something on this list for everyone.

Other Programming and Interview Articles you may like

Thanks for reading this article so far. If you like these websites, online platforms, and courses to prepare well for programming job interviews, then please share them with your friends and colleagues. If you have any questions or feedback, then please drop a note.

P. S. — If you are serious about getting into FAANG companies and want to leave no stone unturned then I also suggest you join Master the Coding Interview: Big Tech (FAANG) Interview on ZTM Academy by Andrei Negaoie, this is one of the best resources to prepare for FAANG interviews. You can also use code friends10 to get a 10% discount.