Learning Plan for Beginners
Who Are Considered "Beginner Algorithm Learners"?
Practicing algorithms can be seen as a skill that requires separate training, unrelated to project experience or work history. Typically, one's "experience with practice problems" is used to determine if they are a beginner in algorithms.
Readers who are new to programming are definitely beginner algorithm learners; those with extensive development experience but who have never practiced algorithm problems before are also considered beginners.
For beginner algorithm learners with ample time, following the Main Site Directory in order will allow you to fully master data structures and all the skills for algorithm practice.
The introduction section at the beginning of each chapter will detail the reading methods for different readers, so please read it carefully.
Beginner Problem Set
This directory's problem set is integrated into the accompanying VSCode Plugin and JetBrains Plugin for your convenience during review:
How to Use the Problem Set
It's not recommended to start with the problem set directly. Its main purpose is for review. I suggest going through the site articles first, then using the problem set to assess your learning.
More Than Just Solving Problems
I think algorithms are great, especially for beginners. It is easy to get positive feedback: every time you master a new algorithm framework, you can solve many problems at once. This gives a strong sense of achievement.
I hope beginners can take advantage of this momentum to fully learn data structures and algorithms. In the future, this will save you a lot of trouble at work. For example, when you change jobs, you won't need to spend extra time preparing for algorithm interviews, because your problem-solving thinking is already built and won't fade away.
After starting work, it is hard to find large blocks of time to learn and think. So for readers who are already working, I have another Quick Mastery solution.
In fact, besides solving problems, you can also think more about the algorithms you learn. Can this way of solving algorithm problems be used in real life? Can you turn some situations in life into algorithm problems? If you face a real problem, can you use algorithm thinking and programming to solve it?
Readers who like my tutorials must like thinking. Otherwise, you would not have the patience to read a long algorithm tutorial. But in the end, thinking must be put into practice.
Now, you may feel happy when you solve a few algorithm problems. But after you fully master all the thinking methods on this site, you will find algorithm problems are too easy. This small sense of achievement will not give you much feedback anymore.
So, I hope that during this learning journey, you can build the habit of thinking and doing by yourself. In the end, you can use these skills in more areas, always keep your curiosity for new things, and keep moving forward.