HomeCoursesDynamic Programming in Python: Optimizing Programs for Efficiency

Intermediate

Dynamic Programming in Python: Optimizing Programs for Efficiency
Save

Learn about dynamic programming in Python, delve into recursion basics, explore advanced DP techniques, and discover practical coding challenges to optimize algorithms for real-world applications.

Join 2.6 million developers at

Overview

Content

Reviews

Dynamic programming is something every developer should have in their toolkit. It allows you to optimize your algorithm with respect to time and space — a very important concept in real-world applications. In this course, you’ll start by learning the basics of recursion and work your way to more advanced DP concepts like Bottom-Up optimization. Throughout this course, you will learn various types of DP techniques for solving even the most complex problems. Each section is complete with coding challenges of...Show More

Dynamic programming is something every developer should have in their toolkit. It allows you to optimize your algorithm with res...Show More

Content

47 Lessons3 Quizzes16 Challenges

Chapter 1: From Recursion to Dynamic Programming

13 Lessons

Get familiar with transitioning from recursion to dynamic programming and optimizing algorithms efficiently.

Introduction

What is Recursion?

Thinking Recursively

The Fibonacci Numbers

Challenge: Find All Permutations of a String

Solution Review: Find All Permutations of a String

Challenge: Place N Queens on an NxN Chessboard

Solution Review: Place N Queens on an NxN Chessboard

Is Plain Recursion Good Enough?

What is Dynamic Programming?

Approaches of Dynamic Programming

Where to Use Dynamic Programming

Quiz

Chapter 2: Top-Down Dynamic Programming with Memoization

7 Lessons

Get started with efficient top-down dynamic programming using memoization techniques for optimization.

What is Memoization?

The Fibonacci Numbers Algorithm with Memoization

Challenge: The Staircase Problem

Solution Review: The Staircase Problem

Challenge 2: The Knapsack Problem

Solution Review: The Knapsack Problem

Quiz

Chapter 3: Bottom-Up Dynamic Programming with Tabulation

10 Lessons

Work your way through bottom-up dynamic programming, tabulation, optimization, and practical problem-solving.

Limitations of Top-Down Dynamic Programming

What is Tabulation?

The Fibonacci Numbers Algorithm with Tabulation

Optimizing the Fibonacci Numbers Algorithm

Challenge: The Catalan Numbers

Solution Review: The Catalan Numbers

Challenge 2: Longest Common Substring

Solution Review: Longest Common Substring

Top-Down vs Bottom-Up

Quiz

Chapter 4: Practice Problems

17 Lessons

Apply your skills to solve diverse dynamic programming challenges efficiently and enhance problem-solving techniques.

Challenge: Number of Ways to Represent N Dollars

Solution Review: Number of Ways to Represent N Dollars

Challenge: The Rod Cutting Problem

Solution Review: The Rod Cutting Problem

Challenge: Weighted Scheduling Problem

Solution Review: Weighted Scheduling Problem

Challenge: The Matrix Chain Multiplication

Solution Review: The Matrix Chain Multiplication

Challenge: The Traveling Salesman Problem

Solution Review: The Traveling Salesman Problem

Challenge: Longest Common Subsequence

Solution Review: Longest Common Subsequence

Challenge: Longest Palindromic Subsequence

Solution Review: Longest Palindromic Subsequence

Challenge: The Edit Distance Problem

Solution Review: The Edit Distance Problem

Conclusion

Solving Sudoku and the 8-Queens Puzzle as Constraint Satisfaction

Project

Certificate of Completion

Showcase your accomplishment by sharing your certificate of completion.

Developed by MAANG Engineers

Every Educative resource is designed by our in-house team of ex-MAANG software engineers and PhD computer science educators — subject matter experts who’ve shipped production code at scale and taught the theory behind it. The goal is to get you hands-on with the skills you need to stay ahead in today's constantly evolving tech landscape. No videos, no fluff — just interactive, project-based learning with personalized feedback that adapts to your goals and experience.

Looks a bit advance? Start here.

Course

Matplotlib for Python: Visually Represent Data with Plots

Gain insights into visually representing data with Matplotlib in Python. Explore plotting techniques, control axes, create complex layouts, and draw various plots, enhancing your data science skills.

6 h

intermediate

Course

Python for Scientists and Engineers

Gain insights into Python for scientific computing. Explore arrays, plotting, linear equations, and algorithms using NumPy, Matplotlib, SciPy. Delve into applying tools with practical exercises.

13 h

intermediate

Cloud Lab

Speech Synthesis Using Amazon Polly

Learn to use Amazon Polly for text-to-speech synthesis, integrating SSML for natural speech effects and enhancing applications.

1 h

beginner

Course

Matplotlib for Python: Visually Represent Data with Plots

intermediate

6 hour

Course

Python for Scientists and Engineers

intermediate

13 hour

Course

Speech Synthesis Using Amazon Polly

beginner

1 hour

Trusted by 2.6 million developers working at companies

"These are high-quality courses. Trust me. I own around 10 and the price is worth it for the content quality. EducativeInc came at the right time in my career. I'm understanding topics better than with any book or online video tutorial I've done. Truly made for developers. Thanks"

Anthony Walker

@_webarchitect_

"Just finished my first full #ML course: Machine learning for Software Engineers from Educative, Inc. ... Highly recommend!"

Evan Dunbar

ML Engineer

"You guys are the gold standard of crash-courses... Narrow enough that it doesn't need years of study or a full blown book to get the gist, but broad enough that an afternoon of Googling doesn't cut it."

Carlos Matias La Borde

Software Developer

"I spend my days and nights on Educative. It is indispensable. It is such a unique and reader-friendly site"

Souvik Kundu

Front-end Developer

"Your courses are simply awesome, the depth they go into and the breadth of coverage is so good that I don't have to refer to 10 different websites looking for interview topics and content."

Vinay Krishnaiah

Software Developer

"I've tried probably 5-7 different sites and Educative is easily the best. It perfectly blends explanation with interactivity"

Eric Downs

Musician/Entrepeneur

Hands-on Learning Powered by AI

See how Educative uses AI to make your learning more immersive than ever before.

Instant Code Feedback

Evaluate and debug your code with the click of a button. Get real-time feedback on test cases, including time and space complexity of your solutions.

AI-Powered Mock Interviews

Put your skills to the test in a simulated interview setting. Receive personalized feedback based on your performance. Available in Premium & Premium Plus plans.

Adaptive Learning

At various checkpoints throughout Educative courses, you will be prompted to take a quick assessment. Receive a condensed curriculum tailored to your strengths and skill gaps.

Explain with AI

Select any text within any Educative course, and get an instant explanation — without ever leaving your browser.

AI Code Mentor

AI Code Mentor helps you quickly identify errors in your code, learn from your mistakes, and nudge you in the right direction — just like a 1:1 tutor!

Course

Algorithms for Coding Interviews in Python

Your ultimate guide to algorithms for coding interviews. Master several must-know algorithms, and test your skills with real-world problems from top companies.

15 h

intermediate

Course

Python Quickstart for Experienced Programmers

This course provides a quick Python overview. It is for experienced programmers looking for key Python essentials to get productive quickly.

1 h 30 m

intermediate

Course

Recursion for Coding Interviews in Python

The ultimate recursion guide! Master basics, solve real-world problems, and get interview-ready in hours with FAANG engineers’ proven strategies.

7 h

intermediate

Course

Hands-on Machine Learning with Scikit-Learn

Gain insights into Scikit-Learn's datasets, feature engineering, linear/logistic regression, and unsupervised learning. Delve into k-means clustering and neural networks to enhance your machine learning expertise.

5 h

intermediate

Course

Algorithms for Coding Interviews in Python

intermediate

15 hour

Course

Python Quickstart for Experienced Programmers

intermediate

1 hour 30 min

Course

Recursion for Coding Interviews in Python