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Samwel Ngusa edited this page Jun 27, 2025 · 2 revisions

🧠 Mastering Data Structures and Algorithms in Python – 6-Week Roadmap


πŸ“Œ Why Learn DSA?

Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) are fundamental skills for software developers. They help you:

  • πŸ’Ό Ace technical interviews at top companies like Google, Amazon, Meta.
  • 🧠 Improve problem-solving and logical thinking.
  • βš™οΈ Write efficient and scalable code.
  • πŸ§ͺ Build systems powering real-world apps and services.

🧰 Tools & Resources

Category Tools & Links
πŸ“˜ Main Book Hands-On Data Structures and Algorithms with Python by Basant Agarwal
πŸŽ₯ Videos NeetCode, Abdul Bari
πŸ’» Practice LeetCode, HackerRank, GeeksforGeeks
πŸ“ Tracking Notion, Google Sheets, Notebook
πŸ§‘β€πŸ’» IDEs VS Code, PyCharm, Jupyter Notebook

πŸ—ΊοΈ 6-Week Roadmap Overview

Week 1: DSA Foundation & Python Prerequisites

  • Python basics: lists, dicts, loops, recursion
  • Big-O notation and time complexity
  • Practice: 5 warm-up Python problems
  • Read Chapters 1–2 from the book
  • Watch: NeetCode β€œBig-O Notation Explained”

Week 2: Basic Data Structures

  • Arrays, Strings, Stacks, Queues
  • Linked Lists (Singly, Doubly, Circular)
  • Implement from scratch + problems: Two Sum, Valid Parentheses, Reverse Linked List

Week 3: Hashing, Recursion & Backtracking

  • Hash maps and sets
  • Recursive functions & patterns
  • Backtracking basics
  • Problems: Group Anagrams, Sudoku Solver

Week 4: Advanced Data Structures

  • Trees (Binary, BST), Heaps
  • Graphs (BFS, DFS)
  • Tries (Prefix Trees)
  • Practice: Diameter of Binary Tree, Clone Graph

Week 5: Mastering Problem-Solving Patterns

  • Two Pointers, Sliding Window, Binary Search
  • Greedy, Backtracking, Dynamic Programming (Intro)
  • Problems: Container With Most Water, Jump Game, Climbing Stairs

Week 6: Projects & Interview Prep

  • Mini projects: Spell Checker (Trie), Pathfinding Visualizer (Graph), Event Scheduler (MinHeap)
  • Blind 75 LeetCode problems
  • Mock interviews: Pramp, Interviewing.io

🧠 Core Problem-Solving Patterns

Pattern Example Problems
Sliding Window Longest Substring Without Repeating
Two Pointers Container With Most Water
Binary Search Search in Rotated Sorted Array
Backtracking N-Queens, Sudoku
Greedy Gas Station, Jump Game
Dynamic Programming Fibonacci, 0/1 Knapsack, Longest Common Subsequence

πŸ““ How to Track Progress

  • Maintain a problem log using Notion or Google Sheets.
  • Set daily targets (e.g., 2–3 problems/day).
  • Revise weekly by re-solving tough problems.
  • Use VS Code snippets or a notebook for notes.
  • Join coding groups or study buddies for accountability.

βœ… Final Tips

  • Consistency beats speed β€” steady daily practice wins.
  • Revisit problems after 1 week and 1 month to retain knowledge.
  • Master problem-solving patterns β€” they cover 80% of interview questions.
  • Approach DSA as a long-term investment for career growth.

πŸ“’ License & Contribution

This roadmap is open-source under the MIT License.
Feel free to fork, improve, and share. Contributions are welcome!


Happy coding! πŸš€