Home>Courses>Algorithmic Problem Solving: Preparing for a Coding Interview

Algorithmic Problem Solving: Preparing for a Coding Interview

The ultimate guide to coding interviews. Learn algorithmic techniques, big-O notation, and debugging with strategies developed by FAANG engineers. Practice with interview questions from top companies. Get interview-ready in hours.

Beginner

112 Lessons

25h

Certificate of Completion

AI-POWERED

Mock Interview

Explanations

AI-POWERED

Mock Interview

Explanations

This course includes

69 Playgrounds

32 Challenges

11 Quizzes

Course Overview

What You'll Learn

Course Content

Recommendations

Course Overview

This course provides a thorough exploration of essential algorithmic techniques fundamental in programming. It covers deep understanding of big-O notation, which is a crucial concept for evaluating the efficiency and performance of algorithms, in C++, Java, and Python In this course, you’ll delve into different algorithmic strategies i.e. greedy algorithms, divide-and-conquer, and dynamic programming. Next, you will become proficient in testing and debugging the code. The solutions will be rigorously exami...Show More

This course provides a thorough exploration of essential algorithmic techniques fundamental in programming. It covers deep under...Show More

What You'll Learn

A complete working knowledge of essential algorithmic techniques to various computational problems

A mastery in writing efficient and reliable code

The ability to implement algorithmic techniques in a programming language of your choice

Hands-on experience in testing and debugging your code

A complete working knowledge of essential algorithmic techniques to various computational problems

Course Content

Getting Started

1 Lessons

Get familiar with algorithmic programming, interactive exercises, and coding challenges.

Course Overview

Algorithms and Complexity

3 Lessons

Unpack the core of algorithms, correctness, and time complexity for efficient problem-solving.

Introduction to Algorithms and Complexity

Correct vs. Incorrect Algorithms

Time Complexity of Algorithms

Runtime Algorithms

6 Lessons

Go hands-on with analyzing algorithm efficiency and comparing growth rates for runtime.

The Big-O Notation

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Big-O Notation

Five Common Rules for Analyzing the Runtime

Visualize Common Rules for Runtime Analysis

Frequently Arising Running Times

Quiz: Running Time of Algorithms

Algorithm Design Techniques

9 Lessons

Grasp the fundamentals of diverse algorithm design techniques, optimizing problem-solving with various strategies.

Introduction to Algorithm Design Techniques

Algorithm Design: Exhaustive Search Algorithms

Algorithm Design: Branch-and-Bound Algorithms

Algorithm Design: Greedy Algorithms

Algorithm Design: Dynamic Programming Algorithms

Algorithm Design: Recursive Algorithms

Algorithm Design: Divide-and-Conquer Algorithms

Algorithm Design: Randomized Algorithms

Quiz: Algorithm Design Techniques

Programming Challenges

9 Lessons

Dig into solving coding challenges using structured approaches, illustrated through specific problems.

Introduction to Programming Challenges

Challenge: Sum of Two Digits

Solution: Sum of Two Digits

Challenge: Maximum Pairwise Product

Naive Solution: Maximum Pairwise Product

Fast Solution: Maximum Pairwise Product

Evaluating Solutions to Maximum Pairwise Product Problem

Solving a Programming Challenge in Four Easy Steps

Quiz: Programming Challenges

Good Programming Practices

7 Lessons

Simplify complex topics in good programming practices for reliable, readable, and efficient code.

Introduction to Good Programming Practices

Code Formatting and Naming Guidelines

Debugging and Code Optimization

C++-Specific

C++ Rules For Classes And Numbers

Python-Specific

Quiz: Good Programming Practices

Algorithmic Warm Up

18 Lessons

Master the steps to solve Fibonacci-related programming challenges and compute GCD and LCM.

Introduction to Algorithmic Warm Up

Challenge: Fibonacci Number

Solution: Fibonacci Number

Challenge: Last Digit of the Fibonacci Number

Solution: Last Digit of Fibonacci Number

Challenge: Huge Fibonacci Number

Solution: Huge Fibonacci Number

Challenge: Last Digit of the Sum of Fibonacci Numbers

Solution: Last Digit of the Sum of Fibonacci Numbers

Challenge: Last Digit of the Partial Sum of Fibonacci Numbers

Solution: Last Digit of the Partial Sum of Fibonacci Numbers

Challenge: Last Digit of the Sum of Fibonacci Numbers’ Squares

Solution: Last Digit of the Sum of Fibonacci Numbers’ Squares

Challenge: Greatest Common Divisor

Solution: Greatest Common Divisor

Challenge: Least Common Multiple

Solution: Least Common Multiple

Quiz: Algorithmic Warm Up

Greedy Algorithms

18 Lessons

Learn how to use greedy algorithms to solve practical optimization problems efficiently.

Introduction to Greedy Algorithms

Greedy Strategies

Prove the Correctness of Greedy Algorithms

Challenge: Money Change

Solution: Money Change

Challenge: Maximum Value of the Loot

Solution: Maximum Value of the Loot

Challenge: Car Fueling

Solution: Car Fueling

Challenge: Maximum Advertisement Revenue

Solution: Maximum Advertisement Revenue

Challenge: Collecting Signatures

Solution: Collecting Signatures

Challenge: Maximum Number of Prizes

Solution: Maximum Number of Prizes

Challenge: Maximum Salary

Solution: Maximum Salary

Quiz: Greedy Algorithms

Divide and Conquer Algorithm

22 Lessons

Explore divide-and-conquer algorithms for efficient problem-solving across various challenges.

Introduction to Divide-and-Conquer Algorithms

Guessing a Number

Searching Sorted Data

Finding a White-Black Pair

Finding a Peak

Multiplying Integers

The Master Theorem

Challenge: Sorted Array Multiple Search

Solution: Sorted Array Multiple Search

Challenge: Multiple Search with Duplicates

Solution: Multiple Search with Duplicates

Challenge: Majority Element

Solution: Majority Element

Challenge: Improving Quicksort

Solution: Improving Quicksort

Challenge: Number of Inversions

Solution: Number of Inversions

Challenge: Organizing a Lottery

Solution: Organizing a Lottery

Challenge: Closest Points

Solution: Closest Points

Quiz: Divide-and-Conquer Algorithms

10.

Dynamic Programming

18 Lessons

Examine the fundamentals and applications of dynamic programming for solving complex problems.

Introduction to Dynamic Programming

Challenge: Money Change Again

Solution: Money Change Again

Challenge: Primitive Calculator

Solution: Primitive Calculator

Challenge: Edit Distance

Solution: Edit Distance

Challenge: Longest Common Subsequence of Two Sequences

Solution: Longest Common Subsequence of Two Sequences

Challenge: Longest Common Subsequence of Three Sequences

Solution: Longest Common Subsequence of Three Sequences

Challenge: Maximum Amount of Gold

Solution: Maximum Amount of Gold

Challenge: Splitting the Pirate Loot

Solution: Splitting the Pirate Loot

Challenge: Maximum Value of an Arithmetic Expression

Solution: Maximum Value of an Arithmetic Expression

Quiz: Dynamic Programming

11.

Conclusion

1 Lessons

Find out about completing the course and reflecting on your learning experience.

That's a Wrap!

Course Author

Alexander S. Kulikov and

Pavel Pevzner

Trusted by 2.5 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!

Related Courses and Skill Paths

Course

Grokking the Coding Interview Patterns

Master 24 essential coding patterns to solve thousands of LeetCode-style questions. Efficiently prepare for coding interviews with the ultimate course created by FAANG engineers.

intermediate

85 hours

Skill Path

Java Coding Interview Patterns

Grok the coding interview by mastering 99 of the most challenging interview questions, and elevate your career with confidence!

beginner

55 hours

Skill Path

Meta Coding Interview in C++

Speedrun the Meta/Facebook Coding Interview: Top Problems in C++. Solve LeetCode-style problems effectively and enhance your performance in tech interviews.

beginner

27 hours

Skill Path

Go Coding Interview Patterns

Grok the coding interview by mastering 99 of the most challenging interview questions, and elevate your career with confidence!

beginner

55 hours

Skill Path

JavaScript Coding Interview Patterns

Grok the coding interview by mastering 99 of the most challenging interview questions, and elevate your career with confidence!

beginner

55 hours