Algorithms are the backbone of computer science, but they can also be intimidating and confusing for many learners. If you're struggling to understand algorithms, don't give up. There are some effective strategies that can help you overcome this hurdle and improve your algorithmic thinking skills.
Prior to attempting complex algorithms, it is essential to have a firm understanding of the basic concepts and terminology. This includes knowing what an algorithm is and how to express it in pseudocode or flowcharts, the different types of algorithms (e.g. sorting, searching, recursion, dynamic programming), the criteria for evaluating the performance of algorithms (time complexity, space complexity, correctness, optimality), and the common tools and techniques for analyzing algorithms (asymptotic notation, recurrence relations, master theorem). There are many online resources and books that explain these topics clearly and concisely. It is recommended that you review them regularly and practice solving simple algorithmic problems.
the essence of an algorithm is to define an efficient process. one that performs excellently with minimal use of computational resources. accordingly, you should assume that your algorithm works on a simple machine that can only compute basic arithmetic and comparison, takes one kind of instruction at a time, and has a limited amount of accessible memory, just enough for that much work. this constraint makes it necessary to understand the basics: that a problem is simply a mapping from a set of inputs to the acceptable set of outputs, and time-space complexity: that certain operations run much slower than others with a slight increase in the size of problem set supplied. and the size of memory needed to encode an instance of a problem.
Everyone has their own way of understanding things. For me, I like to look at it like I am playing with Lego or a train track and then make it 3D. Like how things work step by step, you can just ignore how they work internally and just know that when you click, they work and come back with them later. Later on, I know that it's my way of remembering, picturing, and understanding things. You can start with some small, under the basics, and make your way up. It's not like you are trying to understand the human brain, and even if you do, you still learn the basic concept of it, so move on.
To understand algorithms, it's useful to see how they work on concrete examples. Online platforms, such as LeetCode, HackerRank, or CodeSignal, provide hundreds of algorithmic challenges with varying levels of difficulty and domains. Additionally, interactive visualizations, such as VisuAlgo, AlgoViz, or Algorithm Visualizer, can illustrate how algorithms operate step by step on different inputs. When you encounter a new algorithm, it's important to read the problem statement carefully and identify the input, output, and constraints. Then try solving the problem manually with some test cases. Study the given solution or look for one online and understand the logic and intuition behind it. Trace the algorithm on your test cases to verify the results. Implement the algorithm in your preferred programming language and test it on different inputs. Lastly, compare your solution with other solutions to learn from their strengths and weaknesses.
An essential fact that I remind myself of when I struggle to understand an algorithm is that all algorithms are ultimately ways of manipulating data to achieve an end goal. By focusing on my ability to understand and articulate the problem to be solved and the data manipulation techniques at my disposal, I can arrive at a language-agnostic level of understanding.
Again, and again and again. Find your learning style. I joined Jason Teteak on 3 courses of rule-the-room. He showed us that everybody has their own way of learning that suits them the best. Step learner, Research learner, Talk learner, Creative Learner. If you lean into the left side, yeah come to have some course, if you wanna try things, do some problems. Or talk to others That's the meaning of learning
Once you have learned some algorithms, you can apply and adapt them to solve new problems. This will help you develop your creativity and problem-solving skills. To do so, look for similarities and patterns between problems and see if you can use an existing algorithm or modify it slightly. Additionally, break down complex problems into smaller subproblems and see if you can use a divide-and-conquer, recursion, or dynamic programming approach. You may even combine multiple algorithms or data structures to create a hybrid solution, while experimenting with different parameters and trade-offs to optimize your solution for time or space efficiency. To further test your algorithmic skills, consider participating in online contests, hackathons, or coding interviews that challenge you under time pressure and competition.
Learning algorithms can be a difficult and lonely experience, but you don't have to go through it alone. You can seek advice and guidance from other learners, mentors, or experts who can help you improve your knowledge and skills. Joining online communities such as Stack Overflow, Reddit, or Quora can be useful for asking questions and discussing algorithms with other enthusiasts. Additionally, you could find a study partner or group with similar goals and interests to collaborate with on solving algorithmic problems. Online courses, workshops, or bootcamps can provide a structured curriculum, interactive lectures, and personalized feedback from instructors. Additionally, reading blogs, books, or papers that explain algorithms in depth can provide valuable insights and tips from experienced authors. By following these strategies, you can become more confident in your coding abilities and enjoy the process of learning algorithms.
Again, and again and again. Find your learning style. I joined Jason Teteak on 3 courses of rule-the-room. He showed us that everybody has their own way of learning that suits them the best. Step learner, research learner, talk learner, and creative learner. You can be all of them, but be honest! You need to find your strong side to make the most of it. If you are in Asia and you can't do well at school, I don't think you are a good step-learner. Go to college, but are you still finding that you are not fit for it? Maybe you aren't good at self-research, but you can be good when working in groups or breaking things up and modifying them. Don't just stop because you aren't as good as others in the same old way. Find yours