A brief Introduction to DSA

Ram, who is knowledgeable about various programming datatypes and functions, wanted to learn more about data structures and algorithms. Ram has many thoughts about this subject, but he has begun to learn putting them all to the side. Ram came across many new terms while learning, such as array, linked list, stack, queue, trees, and graphs, and when he opened the page for algorithms, he saw terms like sorting algorithms, searching algorithms, graph algorithms, etc. He read a few lines from an algorithm which is using some data structures to sort, search, and perform other operations.

Ram decided that these were more than sufficient, so he set the book aside and took out his phone to surf the internet. Every name he read was strange and reminded him of tree and animal scientific names. While he was making fun of what he read and how he felt, Ram noticed that his room is getting hotter and hotter, and he understood that the AC in his room was off due to some malfunction.

In order to get assistance, Ram called a nearby electrician, who arrived with a toolbox. He has spread out all of his electrical equipment after opening his toolbox. Looking at those things Ram was fascinated. He is questioning the electrician about all the tools that he always carries, including a tester, a screwdriver, and many others.

The electrician started to explain about each and every tool he carry to Ram and he’s listening patently, after saying about all the items Ram sarcastically said that anyone who has the knowledge about these tools can repair any electronics. The electrician immediately replied, "Ram, now that you are familiar with all the tools, just fix your room's air conditioner and bring me the toolkit after you finish." ?Ram was blank without a word.

Ram started laughing as soon as the electrician started laughing, trying to cover up his embarrassed expression. The electrician continued, "Just because you are familiar with tools does not mean that you are familiar with how to repair any electronic." You need to know exactly what the issue is, what tools can be used to fix it, and after you've found the issue, you need to understand how to handle and fix the device. You can't approach all repairs in the same way because there are several gadgets and repair methods.

Ram is thinking that he shouldn't have made that joke, but he has certainly learned a lot. Ram then realized that, just as he had initially found the names of the electrical tools funny before realizing their power to repair gadgets, he had understood that may be understanding a data structure by itself is insufficient to solve a problem; instead, an algorithm must be used just like a procedure to repair a gadget, which consists of a set of steps. Ram then thanked the electrician after finishing the repair. He turned on his air conditioning and took the book to start his DSA trip.

Start your DSA journey along with Ram here,