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Data Structures for Coding Interviews in C++

The ultimate guide to data structures for coding interviews. Developed by FAANG engineers. Get interview-ready in hours with C++ implementations and real-world interview questions. Prep faster.

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Data structures are amongst the very fundamentals of Computer Science and are often a core decision in developing efficient programs. Consequently, they are also largely categorized as a vital benchmark of computer science knowledge when it comes to industry interviews. This course contains a detailed review of all the common data structures and provides implementation level details in C++ to allow readers to become well equipped with all the different data structures they can leverage to write better code!

Data structures are amongst the very fundamentals of Computer Science and are often a core decision in developing efficient prog...Show More

Content

228 Lessons23 Quizzes65 Challenges

Introduction to Complexity Measures

22 Lessons

Step through complexity measures, comparing algorithms, incorporating Big O notation, and analyzing nested loops.

Comparing Algorithms

Example: Measuring Time Complexity of a Single Loop Algorithm

Example: Time Complexity of an Algorithm With Nested Loops

Introduction to Asymptotic Analysis and Big O

Other Common Asymptotic Notations and Why Big O Trumps Them

Useful Formulae

Common Complexity Scenarios

Challenge: Big (O) of Nested Loop with Addition

Solution: Big (O) of Nested Loop with Addition

Challenge: Big (O) of Nested Loop with Subtraction

Solution: Big (O) of Nested Loop with Subtraction

Challenge: Big (O) of Nested Loop with Multiplication

Solution: Big (O) of Nested Loop with Multiplication

Challenge: Nested Loop with Multiplication (Basic)

Solution: Nested Loop with Multiplication (Basic)

Challenge: Nested Loop with Multiplication (Intermediate)

Solution: Nested Loop with Multiplication (Intermediate)

Challenge: Nested Loop with Multiplication (Advanced)

Solution: Nested Loop with Multiplication (Advanced)

Challenge: Nested Loop with Multiplication (Pro)

Solution: Nested Loop with Multiplication (Pro)

Complexity Quiz: Test Your Understanding of Complexity

Introduction to Arrays

26 Lessons

Look at arrays, vectors, and multidimensional arrays; solve coding challenges with essential solutions.

What is an Array?

Multidimensional Arrays

What Is a Vector?

Challenge: Remove Even Integers From Array

Solution: Remove Even Integers From Array

Challenge: Merge Two Sorted Arrays

Solution: Merge Two Sorted Arrays

Challenge: Find Two Numbers That Add Up to K

Solution: Find Two Numbers That Add Up to K

Challenge: Product of Array Except Self

Solution: Product of Array Except Self

Challenge: Find Minimum Value in Array

Solution: Find Minimum Value in Array

Challenge: First Non-Repeating Integer in an Array

Solution: First Non-Repeating Integer in an Array

Challenge: Find Second Maximum Value in an Array

Solution: Find Second Maximum Value in an Array

Challenge: Rotate Array

Solution: Rotate Array

Challenge: Rearrange Positive & Negative Values

Solution: Rearrange Positive & Negative Values

Challenge: Rearrange Sorted Array in Max/Min Form

Solution: Rearrange Sorted Array in Max/Min Form

Challenge: Maximum Subarray

Solution: Maximum Subarray

Arrays Quiz: Test Your Understanding of Arrays

Introduction to Linked Lists

30 Lessons

Work your way through Singly and Doubly Linked Lists structure, operations, and coding challenges.

Singly Linked Lists (SLL)

Basic Linked List Operations

Singly Linked List Insertion

Deletion in a Singly Linked List

Linked Lists vs. Arrays

Doubly Linked Lists (DLL)

Singly Linked Lists vs. Doubly Linked Lists

Challenge: Insertion at Tail

Solution: Insertion at Tail

Challenge: Search in a Singly Linked List

Solution: Search in a Singly Linked List

Challenge: Deletion by Value

Solution: Deletion by Value

Challenge: Find the Length of a Linked List

Solution: Find the Length of a Linked List

Challenge: Reverse Linked List

Solution: Reverse Linked List

Challenge: Linked List Cycle

Solution: Linked List Cycle

Challenge: Middle of the Linked List

Solution: Middle of the Linked List

Challenge: Remove Duplicates from a Linked List

Solution: Remove Duplicates from a Linked List

Challenge: Union and Intersection of Linked Lists

Solution: Union and Intersection of Linked Lists

Challenge: Return the Nth Node from End

Solution: Return the Nth Node from End

Challenge: Find If a Doubly Linked List Is a Palindrome

Solution: Find If a Doubly Linked List Is a Palindrome

Linked Lists Quiz: Test Your Understanding of Linked Lists

Introduction to Stack/Queues

25 Lessons

Grasp the fundamentals of stacks and queues, along with their applications and challenges.

What is a Stack?

Stack (Implementation)

What is a Queue?

Queue (Implementation)

Challenge: Generate Binary Numbers From 1 to n Using a Queue

Solution: Generate Binary Numbers From 1 to n Using a Queue

Challenge: Implement Two Stacks Using One Array

Solution: Implement Two Stacks Using One Array

Challenge: Reverse First k Elements of Queue

Solution: Reverse First k Elements of Queue

Challenge: Implement Queue Using Stacks

Solution: Implement Queue Using Stacks

Challenge: Sort Values in a Stack

Solution: Sort Values in a Stack

Challenge: Evaluate Postfix Expression Using a Stack

Solution: Evaluate Postfix Expression Using a Stack

Challenge: Next Greater Element Using a Stack

Solution: Next Greater Element Using a Stack

Challenge: Find the Celebrity

Solution: Find the Celebrity

Challenge: Valid Parentheses

Solution: Valid Parentheses

Challenge: Min Stack

Solution: Min Stack

Stack/Queue Quiz: Test Your Understanding of Stack/Queue

Introduction to Graphs

26 Lessons

Dig into graph concepts, types, representations, implementations, complexities, traversal, and problem-solving.

What is a Graph?

Types of Graphs

Representation of Graphs

Graph Implementation

Complexities of Graph Operations

What is a Bipartite Graph?

Graph Traversal Algorithms

Challenge: Implement Breadth-First Search

Solution: Implement Breadth-First Search

Challenge: Implement Depth-First Search

Solution: Implement Depth-First Search

Challenge: Detect Cycle in a Directed Graph

Solution: Detect Cycle in a Directed Graph

Challenge: Find a Mother Vertex in a Directed Graph

Solution: Find a Mother Vertex in a Directed Graph

Challenge: Count the number of Edges in an Undirected Graph

Solution: Count the Number of Edges in an Undirected Graph

Challenge: Check If a Path Exists between Two Vertices

Solution: Check If a Path Exists between Two Vertices

Challenge: Graph Valid Tree

Solution: Graph Valid Tree

Challenge: Find the Shortest Path between Two Vertices

Solution: Find the Shortest Path between Two Vertices

Challenge: Remove Edge from a Directed Graph

Solution: Remove Edge from a Directed Graph

Graph Quiz: Test Your Understanding of Graphs

Introduction to Trees

38 Lessons

Explore tree structures, including their properties, types, and specific operations in C++.

An Introduction to Trees and Basic Tree Properties

What is a Binary Tree?

What Makes a Tree 'balanced'?

More on Complete Binary Trees

Skewed Binary Trees

What is a Binary Search Tree (BST)?

Implementing a Binary Search Tree in C++

Binary Search Tree Insertion

Binary Search Tree Insertion (Implementation)

Searching in a Binary Search Tree (Implementation)

Deletion in Binary Search Tree

Deletion in Binary Search Tree (Implementation)

What is a Red-Black Tree?

Red-Black Tree Insertion

Red-Black Tree Deletion

What is 2-3 Tree?

2-3 Insertion

2-3 Deletion (Case #1)

2-3 Deletion (Case #2)

2-3-4 Trees

Overview of Trees

Challenge: Find Minimum Value in Binary Search Tree

Solution: Find Minimum Value in Binary Search Tree

Challenge: Find kth Maximum Value in Binary Search Tree

Solution: Find kth Maximum Value in Binary Search Tree

Challenge: Find Ancestors of a Given Node in a BST

Solution: Find Ancestors of a Given Node in a BST

Challenge: Find the Height of Binary Search Tree

Solution: Find the Height of Binary Search Tree

Challenge: Find Nodes at k Distance from the Root

Solution: Find Nodes at k Distance from the Root

Trees Quiz: Test Your Understanding of Trees

Trie

14 Lessons

Build on trie structures for efficient string management and advanced word search applications.

Challenge: Total Number of Words in a Trie

Solution: Total Number of Words in a Trie

Challenge: Find All Words Stored in Trie

Solution: Find All Words Stored in Trie

Challenge: Array Sort Using Trie

Solution: Array Sort Using Trie

Challenge: Word Formation From a Dictionary Using Trie

Solution: Word Formation From a Dictionary Using Trie

Trie Quiz: Test Your Understanding of Tries

Introduction to Heap

12 Lessons

Learn how to use heaps for efficient sorting, priority queues, and element retrieval.

What is a Heap?

Max Heap: Introduction

Max Heap (Implementation)

Min Heap: Introduction

Min Heap (Implementation)

Challenge: Convert Max Heap to Min Heap

Solution: Convert Max Heap to Min Heap

Challenge: Find k Smallest Elements in an Array

Solution: Find k Smallest Elements in an Array

Challenge: Find K Largest Elements in an Array

Solution: Find K Largest Elements in an Array

Heap Quiz: Test Your Understanding of Heaps

Introduction to Hashing

33 Lessons

Discover the logic behind hash table fundamentals, applications, and comparisons with other structures.

What is a Hash Table?

The Hash Function

Collisions in Hash Tables

Building a Hash Table from Scratch

Add/Remove & Search in Hash Table (Implementation)

A Quick Overview of Hash Tables

Trie vs. Hash Table

unordered_map vs unordered_set

Challenge: An Array as a Subset of Another Array

Solution: An Array as a Subset of Another Array

Challenge: Check if Arrays are Disjoint

Solution: Check if Arrays are Disjoint

Challenge: Find Symmetric Pairs in an Array

Solution: Find Symmetric Pairs in an Array

Challenge: Trace the Complete Path of a Journey

Solution: Trace the Complete Path of a Journey

Challenge: Find Two Pairs in an Array Such That a+b = c+d

Solution: Find Two Pairs in an Array Such That a+b = c+d

Challenge: A Subarray with a Sum of 0

Solution: A Subarray with a Sum of 0

Challenge: Word Formation Using a Hash Table

Solution: Word Formation Using a Hash Table

Challenge: Find Two Numbers That Add up to k—Hashing

Solution: Find Two Numbers That Add up to k—Hashing

Challenge: First Non-Repeating Integer in an Array—Hashing

Solution: First Non-Repeating Integer in an Array—Hashing

Challenge: Linked List Cycle—Hashing

Solution: Linked List Cycle—Hashing

Challenge: Remove Duplicates from Linked List - Hashing

Solution: Remove Duplicates from Linked List - Hashing

Challenge: Union and Intersection of Linked Lists — Hashing

Solution: Union and Intersection of Linked Lists — Hashing

Hashing Quiz: Test Your Understanding of Hashing

10.

Summary of Data Structures

2 Lessons

Examine the key differences and performance metrics of linear and non-linear data structures.

Overview of Linear & Non-Linear Data Structures

Conclusion

Certificate of Completion

Showcase your accomplishment by sharing your certificate of completion.

Course Author:

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the data structures of C++ programming?

C++ provides several fundamental data structures, both built-in and through its Standard Template Library (STL). The built-in data structures include arrays and pointers for simple, contiguous memory storage. The STL offers more advanced structures like vector (dynamic array), list (doubly linked list), deque (double-ended queue), stack (LIFO stack), queue (FIFO queue), priority_queue (heap), set (ordered collection of unique elements), map (key-value pairs), unordered_set, and unordered_map (hash-based structures). These data structures are optimized for different types of operations, such as fast access, insertion, or deletion, making C++ versatile for various programming needs.

Can I use C++ for coding interviews?

Yes, C++ is an excellent choice for coding interviews. It offers powerful features like manual memory management, object-oriented programming, and access to a rich Standard Template Library (STL) that provides efficient data structures and algorithms. C++ allows fine-grained control over performance, making it suitable for solving complex problems efficiently. Its syntax is well-known to most interviewers, and using C++ demonstrates a strong understanding of low-level programming concepts, which is valuable in many technical interviews.

How to study for a C++ interview

To study for a C++ interview, master core C++ concepts like pointers, memory management, object-oriented programming, and the Standard Template Library (STL). Practice solving common coding problems using STL data structures (vector, list, map, etc.) and algorithms to understand their complexities and use cases. Review key C++ features such as operator overloading, inheritance, polymorphism, and templates. Additionally, get comfortable writing clean, efficient code and explaining your approach clearly. Regular practice on platforms like LeetCode or Codeforces will help reinforce these skills and improve problem-solving speed.

Are C++ coders in demand?

Yes, C++ coders are in high demand, especially in game development, finance, embedded systems, and high-performance computing. C++ is valued for its speed, efficiency, and control over system resources, making it ideal for applications where performance is critical. Many companies seek C++ developers for roles that require low-level programming, real-time processing, and software that interacts closely with hardware. Its versatility and efficiency ensure that C++ remains a popular language in various tech sectors.

How many hours a day should I study C++?

The number of hours you should study C++ daily depends on your goals, current proficiency, and schedule. Generally, dedicating 1 to 2 hours of focused study daily is effective for consistent progress, allowing time to grasp new concepts, practice coding problems, and reinforce learning. If you have more time, you can extend this to 3 to 4 hours, but balance study with breaks to avoid burnout. Consistency is key, so aim for regular, manageable sessions that fit your routine.