You’re new to programming. How can you learn algorithms quickly?

Instead of saying it's pseudocode, I wanna say that you want to express your way of thinking in word/picture or any other form. Cuz you know that we have an algorithm diagram for pseudocode, we can have a program for kids like Scratch. So yes, write it, draw it, spell it think about it. The target is that you have a logical and computer thinking mindset in the smallest form to start. Or I give out the game in life for you to do, just make sure it helps you think about logic.

Pseudocode is an appropriate way to start learning coding but it should not be considered "real code". It is indeed the list of steps that humans or machines can do to solve one specific problem. Understanding that statement, you first might want to develop your logical thinking on how to solve real problems step by step. And then, write it down in any language or form and voila, you finish the pseudocode of one problem.

Understanding pseudocode can be beneficial for anyone interested in coding and programming, as it provides a clear and language-agnostic way to express the logic of a program before diving into the specifics of a particular programming language.

Master Basics: Understand core programming concepts (variables, loops, conditionals). Learn Data Structures: Study arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, and graphs. Explore Algorithm Design: Focus on sorting, searching, recursion, and dynamic programming techniques. Practice Coding: Implement algorithms in your chosen language to reinforce concepts. Solve Problems: Challenge yourself with algorithmic problems on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank. Use Learning Resources: Take advantage of online tutorials, textbooks, and courses to deepen your understanding. Engage with Communities: Join coding communities, attend workshops, and seek guidance from experienced programmers.

Remember to get familiar with the common concepts first like data structure (array, list, hashmap, etc) or flow control (if/else, for, while, etc). However, there's no need to remember all the details. After that, you can directly go to the battle by trying to solve some algorithm problems. Finding some keywords about data structure needed to be used if you get stuck, discussing the idea of the algorithm with an experienced person. Remember to review your work to see whether you can improve the time/space complexity or edge cases handler. Let's start first with some sorting problems and answer the question: For this data and the requirement of each problem, which sorting algorithm you should implement?

I still prefer to teach the basics first. Not that I don't want you to learn sorting and searching, but I want you to understand the more basic aspects of the data structure first. You should know about datatypes; you know why we need arrays. We know that static arrays are really fast, but why? And from that point, we want to set rules for it. With the rules after sorting (have order), we know that we can MAKE SURE that where should we get the result with searching algorithms. Why does binary sort work? Yes, I like it, and we can move on to other pattern recursion, dynamic programming, greedy, and backtracking.

Learn the core concepts of data structures, such as arrays, strings, linked lists, stacks, queues, and more. Understanding these fundamental concepts will provide a strong foundation for learning algorithms. Familiarize yourself with sorting algorithms like insertion sort, bubble sort, selection sort, merge sort, quick sort, and radix sort. Sorting algorithms are essential and widely used in various applications. Once you have a good grasp of the basics, delve into advanced concepts, including heap, hash table, variations of trees, graphs (DFS, BFS), recursion, dynamic programming, backtracking, bit manipulation, and object-oriented programming.

From my experience, I shared the Codesignal platform with many others during 2018. They have really good "intro" set of problems. But it will depend on what you need and where you at. LeetCode and hackerRank also really good. But the point is you get to do (not sure that you solve it) the problem that helps you learn new things. Like we make the problem to make you facing the infinity loop, to make you have indexOutOfBound, to have to check array/string size, to check null and for sure to check the edge case, corner case so that you can "perfect" your skill.

Leetcode is my favorite. The reason is most of the problems are real (interview) problems that can help you experience the WOW moments in the future. Many of the problems also have some guidelines/solutions provided by the community, which is extremely valuable to the newbie. Also remember to do it with your company, like friends with the same target, or can do some mock interviews on any online platforms.

Solve coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or CodeSignal. These platforms offer a wide range of algorithmic problems that can help you apply your knowledge and improve your problem-solving skills.

Explore books and video tutorials that explain algorithms clearly and engagingly. "Introduction to Algorithms" by Thomas H. Cormen and Charles E. Leiserson is a highly regarded book in this field.

The right community will bring you up and encourage you in this long process of learning programming. Trying your best to interact with them more, for technical and also non-technical issues. It's good not only for your knowledge but for your motivation as well.

Join programming communities, forums, and discussion platforms where you can interact with other learners and seek help when needed. Sharing and discussing algorithms with peers can enhance your understanding.

I will bring out the learning style again. Some of you will really be good with your mindset and persistence; you will be good with staying at PC all day and solving the problem. But some prefer to have the program and course that combine the theory with problems, and some just love to read other people's codes. Some love to chat/talk and debate. Or you can do all of it; just make sure that you invest your time in the right place so that you learn it faster and make it yours.

Learning algorithms takes time and persistence. Stay curious, be patient with yourself, and enjoy the process of discovering new ways to solve problems.