'Cracking the Coding Interview': The Best Alternative

Are you tired of thumbing through books like Cracking the Coding Interview and looking for something fresh to study? Embrace a modern, streamlined approach with “Educative 99.” We’ve created a course that not only stands toe-to-toe with the classic guide but gives you a dynamic, hands-on experience. Why get bogged down in pages when you can actively engage, learn, and prepare? The tech world’s constantly evolving, and so should your prep tools. Learn to code for interviews smarter, not harder.

Limitations of Cracking the Coding Interview#

Most people preparing for FAANG coding interviews or tech-company interviews are stuck in the same rut. They’re devouring Cracking the Coding Interview or burning through problems on other coding platforms. What do you do if you don’t feel ready? You dive into coding prep resources to gather the web’s wisdom for your interview. But is this typical prep enough for the challenge? Let’s look at some drawbacks of using Cracking the Coding Interview:

• Surface-Level Knowledge: It gives you a broad view of data structures and algorithms, but it skips the nitty-gritty fundamentals. Coding interviews dig deep — this book doesn’t.

• Made for Mid-Tiers: The book’s charm is its approachability, which is great for mid-size gigs, but it’s a different scenario for big tech companies.

• Playing the Odds: You may not even encounter questions from the book in your interview, and you can't risk your chances of success by betting that the interview will stick to questions from the book.

• Exceptions, Not Rules: If you’ve heard stories of people acing FAANG coding interviews with just this book, know that they’re outliers.

• Fresh Problems, Every Time: You won’t always face questions straight from the book. You need deeper prep because tech companies will give you new questions every time.

• Creativity Over Cramming: Big Tech wants creative problem-solvers, not memory champs. Know the why, not just the how.

How to Prepare for the Coding Interview #

There are many aspects of coding interview preparation. This includes studying the company’s culture, sharing your projects, knowing all the jargon, etc. To practice the coding problems, here are the main tips to make a study plan:

• Find a coding interview practice platform and stick to it

• After solving a problem, jot down its time and space trade-offs

• Variety is key — study diverse topics and questions

• If structure is your thing, courses can be a lifesaver

• At the end of the day, it’s all about the grind — practice, rinse, repeat

The Most Holistic Coding Interview Practice — Educative 99#

While Cracking the Coding Interview offers a sweeping overview of challenges, it doesn’t necessarily go deep into the nuances of each problem pattern. Educative-99, on the other hand, is like having a master key. It doesn’t just give you an array of locks to practice on — it teaches you the mechanisms behind them.

If you’re on the lookout for an adaptive, modern tool that focuses on the essential patterns and cuts through the noise of generalized problems, Educative-99 is your answer. I’s thoughtfully curated to arm you with the insights and patterns required for coding interviews, especially when aiming for roles at tech giants like Google or Amazon. Educative-99 is the streamlined, efficient preparation tool you’ve been seeking. Curated meticulously, it’s tailored to arm you with the insights and the 26 most important patterns integral to coding interviews.LeetCode has emerged as a premier platform for coding interview preparation. But why dive into a sea of 2800 questions, when mastering 26 pivotal problem-solving patterns can equip you to tackle them all? Focus on 99 handpicked questions, each exemplifying a unique pattern, and you’re set. It’s about understanding the core, not just the surface. With a hands-on, setup-free coding environment, you can immediately apply and test your understanding, honing your skills on-the-go. Don’t just find a solution — weigh the pros and cons of each approach by evaluating the trade-offs between time and space complexity. When solving these questions, forge a flexible conceptual framework. Link problem characteristics, solution techniques, and coding design patterns. This will help you when tackling challenges during your interview.

In a streamlined 55-hour journey spanning 235 meticulously designed lessons and 204 interactive playgrounds, Educative-99 doesn’t just prepare you for interviews — it sets you up for success. Whether you’re a Python enthusiast, a Java junkie, or a C++ connoisseur, there’s a path tailored for you.

About Educative-99's Coding Problems #

Educative-99 isn't just another course; it's a refined methodology that maximizes your interview prep efficiency.It ensures you're primed for success, thanks to the following key features:

• Focused Learning: Instead of drowning in thousands of questions, focus on just 99 hand-picked questions, representing the 26 core coding patterns.

• Versatility: Available in Python, JavaScript, C++, Java, and Go. There are multiple languages catering to your needs, and more additions will be coming soon.

• Real-world Relevance: Derived from a rich understanding of top LeetCode questions, the questions ensure you’re aligned with industry expectations.

• Dynamic Difficulty: Encounter both simple and complex problems, simulating the unpredictable nature of real interviews.

• Optimized Preparation: Be assured that almost every interview problem will echo patterns you’ve internalized with Educative-99.

Start Your Coding Interview Prep with Confidence#

Knowing which problems to solve and analyzing your approach is an essential part of grokking the coding interview. Textbooks are neither updated, nor interactive, which can drastically affect your studying pace. 

If you really want to feel confident on the day of your interview, get the Educative-99 course now. You can also try Blind 75 Problems by Educative to improve your coding interview skills.

Happy practicing!