The Algorithm Design Manual or Leetcode, which one first ?
Assume lacking data structures and algorithms fundamentals, or some gaps in knowledge. I've done many LC and feel stuck when I face an unseen question and can't think properly. I've read very good reviews of The Algorithm Design Manual, so which I should focus on first: The Algorithm Design Manual book or Leetcode ?
Both at the same time
Yeetcode.
Try algorithm and ds courses on Coursera. They are good to bridge Gap in understanding.
any specific course you recommend ? how do they compare to the algorithm design manual ?
I’ve never found those courses useful. Everyone already knows the fundamentals - they just don’t know how to come up with solutions that were discovered by a PhD 50 years ago in 15 minutes. For that you gotta grind leetcode.
I did the algorithm design manual before leetcoding. It has a great overview of the fundamentals. However many of the algorithms provided are suboptimal; which can be a bit frustrating, or a good opening for you to critique, depending on your perspective. I’d say it depends on which of two you are looking to acquire, fundamentals, or specific techniques. Leetcode being a better place to quickly develop the latter, if you already posses the former.
Leetcode 100%.
Haven't read ADM. But if u r lacking some DS/algo fundamentals pick up a good algo book or course first. Just doing LC without fundamentals is like pouring buckets of water on a large fire.
I actually know ALL the theory necessary for LC, but keep struggling with unseen questions although I understand the solutions to the questions I did, so I though my fundamentals are not strong enough.
If u know them all, I guess what u need practice with is identifying which category a problem falls into when u see them. That's the hardest part. Once u start doing that. Solving them is easier.
It’s pure luck. Both are important.