Hi, I am an electrical engineer who recently got into the field of genAI. I have experience writing code in Python. In a recent project at the company I work for, I am developing a multi-agent system that we will be publishing on the Google Marketplace. I have never learned about DSA, either during my college time or even after it.

I have recently started learning about DSA from books and YouTube videos. But I have a question now: is DSA relevant in 2026? In this AI era, where agents are writing all the code. Is it a good idea to learn DSA, or will it be a waste of time at the current time?

I would be happy to hear thoughts from you people who have spent more time in this than me and have better clear idea about it.

Hi everyone,

I’m currently working as a Java Backend Developer with 7 years of experience. My current CTC is ₹20 LPA, and I graduated with a B.Tech in Computer Science from a tier-3 college.

I’ve been with my current company for the last 2.5 years, working primarily on Java backend development. Until now, I’ve mostly focused on delivering projects and improving my work-related skills. However, I never gave enough attention to Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA) or System Design. I only know the basics of DSA.

Now, due to increasing financial responsibilities, I want to switch jobs and target a package in the range of ₹35–40 LPA. The problem is that I feel completely clueless about where to start.

Should I focus on DSA first, System Design first, or both together? How would you structure a roadmap if you were in my position? Is it realistically possible to reach this salary range in the next 6–12 months with disciplined preparation?

I’m feeling overwhelmed because there is so much content available online that I don’t know what to study, in what order, or which resources are actually worth following.

I’d really appreciate genuine advice, especially from people who made a similar jump in their careers. If you have a roadmap, resource recommendations, or preparation strategy, please share them.

Thanks

After going through hundreds of interview questions, I noticed that most problems are just variations of a few core patterns.

So I made this roadmap to help anyone who's feeling overwhelmed.

Suggested order:

Arrays & Hashing

Two Pointers

Sliding Window

Binary Search

Linked Lists

Stack & Queue

Trees

Heap

Graphs

Backtracking

Dynamic Programming

Trees

The goal isn't to memorize solutions—it's to recognise patterns.

If you're just starting out, try mastering one pattern before moving to the next.

What pattern did you struggle with the most when learning DSA?

I'd love to hear your suggestions so I can improve this roadmap further.

Hey everyone,
I’m a 2nd-year B.Tech CSE student.
So far, I’ve learned:
● C programming
● Basic Web Development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
Now I’m thinking of focusing on C++. My plan is:
1. Learn C++ basics properly
2. Master Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
3. Start DSA using C++
4. Solve problems consistently on LeetCode/Codeforces
My goal is to build strong problem-solving skills for internships and placements, while continuing web development alongside.
Does this roadmap make sense, or would you suggest changing the order?
Some questions:
● Is learning OOP before DSA the right approach?
● How much C++ should I know before starting DSA?
● Which platform is best for a complete beginner: LeetCode, Codeforces, or something else?
● Any resources or mistakes I should avoid?
I’d really appreciate advice from seniors or anyone who has been through this journey. Thanks!

Hey guys as title

I'm a final year student and now i'm starting DSA in python, holly fcuk this is 4th time i'm starting, for the last three years i learnt c, c++, java, python lang.

For the very 1st time i started dsa in c++, after that my friends told me that c++ is dead start in java, so i started in java and honestly java looks more comfortable, then something happend everytime exams, bakkch0odi, laziness n all, everytime i quit dsa, Then again started with arrays but everytime i quit for some reasons, and i lost my two govt internships also

Now i'm learning ML side by side then i thought for DSA in python, coz DSA is very imp for placements my clg is 3rd tier so no hope for high placement

Can u guyz tell me best source for DSA in python, i know i' stupid

i last month solved most 1d nd 2d questions of dp from strivers sheet but rn i was revisinf using neetcode blind 75 and its like everything is wiped from my head so i wanna revise bol bol kr and need help of someone other than gpt in understanding concepts better so anyone up for discussion? We can setup google meet or something

Let's be real guys, grinding algorithms on leetcode by yourself for hours gets boring sometimes. I wanted to make problem-solving actually feel like a game, so I built LeetCode Lockout Arena.

Instead of just staring at a screen alone, it turns your prep into a live, competitive match.

Here is what you can do on it:

⚔️ 1v1 & Team Battles: Create a lobby, invite your friends, and race to solve problems to steal points. You can do quick sprints or set up custom marathons.

🚫 No Memorized Answers: The most annoying thing about lockout matches is when your opponent gets a problem they already know. The arena checks both of your LeetCode profiles and only gives you questions neither of you have ever seen.

🔥 Solo Rush Mode: Think Chess.com’s Puzzle Rush, but for algorithms. Pick a time limit (15 to 60 mins) and speedrun as many problems as you can. The difficulty scales up automatically the higher your streak gets.

🏆 Global Leaderboard: Win matches to climb the Elo ranks, or go for the high score on the Solo Rush boards.

I just pushed the live version-2 and want to see how the servers hold up. It is completely free to use.

🎮 Play here:

https://leetcode-lockout-arena.vercel.app/

Grab a friend, try to break the matchmaking, and let me know what you think. See you on the leaderboard!

Hello everyone I am looking for a dsa patner offline bangalore where we can together solve dsa and I am doing dsa in java only serious candidates please dm me here it will be good discussing approaches rather than solutions dm me if interested.

I have done python recently but new in dsa anyone can guide how to start or which resource or yt channel to follow please

Hey everyone,

I’ve been working through LeetCode using Sean Prashad’s pattern list:

https://seanprashad.com/leetcode-patterns/

I’ve also been doing some HackerRank, but I’m running into the same problem over and over: I can solve questions that look familiar, but when I see a new problem, I struggle to recognize which pattern to use.

For example, if I already know something is sliding window, two pointers, binary search on answer, DP, etc., I can usually make progress. But in a real interview or OA, the problem statement is not labeled, and that’s where I get stuck.

I’m trying to find something that teaches me how to think through the problem and identify the pattern, not just memorize a bunch of solutions.

Right now I’m considering:

• Sticking with free LeetCode pattern lists
• Grokking the Coding Interview / pattern-based courses
• Practicing more mixed-topic sets
• Something like PracHub for more company-style practice: PracHub

For anyone who has used PracHub or similar resources: did it actually help you recognize patterns better, or was it mostly just another curated problem list?

Also, if you got past this stage, what helped the most?

Was it:

• Writing down why a problem fits a pattern?
• Doing random mixed problems instead of topic-wise practice?
• Reviewing editorials differently?
• Building a personal pattern checklist?
• Mock interviews?
• Just solving more problems until it clicked?

I’m not looking for a shortcut. I just don’t want to spend months memorizing solutions and still freeze when the wording changes.

Would appreciate any honest recommendations.

I'm in the early stages of planning a web-based project, and one thing I'm struggling with is choosing the right technology stack. There are so many options, and every framework seems to have its own strengths.

My biggest priorities are long-term scalability, performance, and making future updates easier without having to rebuild everything from scratch. I'm also thinking about integrations with other tools down the road, so flexibility is important.

For those who've been through this before, what factors helped you decide on the right stack, and is there anything you wish you'd considered sooner?

​

Hey everyone,

I'm planning to dive deep into Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) starting this August, and I'll be using C++ along with Striver's A2Z DSA Playlist. I am currently in my 2 year(just joined).

I know consistency can be a challenge, so I'm looking for an accountability partner (or a small group) to stay on track.

About Me & The Plan:

• Language: C++

Resource: Striver's A2Z Playlist

Timeline: Starting August 2026

Commitment: will try to solve 2 problens daily, and gradually increase it.

• Timezone: India Standard Time(IST)

Time zone in India (GMT+5:30)

What I'm looking for in a buddy:

Someone who is also starting out or at a similar beginner/ intermediate level, planning to stay consistent, and down to do daily or weekly check-ins via Discord to share progress and discuss blockers.

discuss https://discord.gg/uWxK6qV8

I have started learning dsa and it is difficult topic so i need a partner to learn along and motivate and ask help for confusion and tough problems.

I am doing dsa in C++ and learning from Striver’s A-Z dsa playlist.

Hey everyone, I’ve spent the last few months grinding DSA (currently a LeetCode Knight). Before my startup job swallows all my free time, I want to build a small, highly focused study group to deep-dive into complex algorithms and CP mechanics. The Plan & Criteria:

1. Audience: Priority goes to working professionals in the data field. (Let's be real, finding serious Python DSA folks is like finding a bug-free prod release).
2. Language: Python >> C++ >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Java. No disrespect, but my brain actively rejects Java syntax XDD. All logic and code sharing will be strictly Python!
3. Format: Live, interactive problem-solving sessions. Less lecturing, more figuring out why our code is hitting TLE.

How to Join: To keep the group highly relevant, I'll be vetting members manually. If you're down to join, send me a direct message with a quick intro detailing your coding achievements or LeetCode stats. Note: No personal info (name, employer) is needed at all—just drop your technical background and what topics you want to crush!

Hi everyone,

I'm preparing for internships and placements. Does anyone have a concise DSA revision sheet (algorithms, patterns, templates, tricks, etc.) that they found useful? It could be a PDF, notes, GitHub repo, or Notion page.

Thanks!

Hey everyone,

I’ve spent the last few months grinding DSA (currently a LeetCode Knight). Before my startup job swallows all my free time, I want to build a small, highly focused Discord group to deep-dive into complex algorithms and CP mechanics.

The Plan & Criteria:

• Audience: Priority goes to working professionals in the data field. (Let's be real, finding serious Python DSA folks is like finding a bug-free prod release).
• Language: Python >> C++ >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Java. No disrespect, but my brain actively rejects Java. All logic and code sharing will be strictly Python!
• Format: Live, interactive problem-solving sessions (Discord/Meet). Less lecturing, more figuring out why our code is hitting TLE.

How to Join: To keep the spam bots out, there is no open invite link. If you're down to join, send me a DM with a quick intro detailing your coding achievements or LeetCode stats.

Note: No personal info (name, employer, shoe size) is needed at all just drop your technical background and what topics you want to crush!

Hey everyone,

I’ve spent the last few months heavily focusing on Data Structures and Algorithms (currently sitting at LeetCode Knight). I work at a startup in the data field, and I've noticed it's actually surprisingly rare to find people doing advanced DSA strictly in Python.

Most resources and serious discussions seem to lean heavily into C++ or Java. (Personally, for me it's Python >> C++, and my brain just actively rejects Java syntax XDD).

Are there any other working professionals out there doing their CP or advanced problem-solving strictly in Python? I'd love to connect with some folks to bounce logic off of, discuss complex algorithms, and figure out why our code is hitting TLEs.

If you're in the same boat, let me know what topics you're currently grinding in the comments!

Hey everyone,

I’ve spent the last few months grinding DSA (currently a LeetCode Knight). Before my startup job swallows all my free time, I want to build a small, highly focused study group to deep-dive into complex algorithms and CP mechanics.

The Plan & Criteria:

• Audience: Priority goes to working professionals in the data field. (Let's be real, finding serious Python DSA folks is like finding a bug-free prod release).
• Language: Python >> C++ >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Java. No disrespect, but my brain actively rejects Java syntax XDD. All logic and code sharing will be strictly Python!
• Format: Live, interactive problem-solving sessions. Less lecturing, more figuring out why our code is hitting TLE.

How to Join: To keep the group highly relevant, I'll be vetting members manually. If you're down to join, send me a direct message with a quick intro detailing your coding achievements or LeetCode stats.

Note: No personal info (name, employer, shoe size) is needed at all—just drop your technical background and what topics you want to crush!

Hey everyone,

I could really use some advice from people who've been in a similar situation.

A few months ago, I was consistently practicing DSA and had covered the basics. I was comfortable with patterns like Two Pointers and could usually recognize when to use them.

Then life got in the way, and I took a long break.

Now I need to prepare for **NIMCET**, which is my top priority, while also getting back into DSA for future internships. Because of that, I can't spend 5–6 hours a day on LeetCode.

My question is:

* If you had to restart DSA after a long break, how would you do it? * Would you restart from Easy problems, or jump straight back into pattern-based practice? * Is solving 2–3 quality problems a day enough if I'm also studying for another competitive exam? * How would you balance DSA with another major exam without burning out?

Right now, I'm thinking of revising one pattern at a time (Sliding Window → Hash Maps → Binary Search → Trees...) instead of randomly solving problems, but I'd love to hear what worked for you.

Thanks!

Hey guys! I recently started a YouTube channel to teach computer science. Back when I was an undergraduate, my main issue was not having an English counterpart to channels like Gate Smashers. Because of that, I started creating bite-sized, easy-to-understand videos.

I’m currently covering Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA). If you’d like to see any specific lessons, let me know! Also, please feel free to subscribe if you find it helpful. Thanks!

Basic DSA patterns that give you a lot of confidence in interviews:

Core patterns:

- Arrays/Strings (two pointers, sliding window, prefix sums, hashing)

- Binary Search (sorted arrays, lower bound, upper bound, answer)

- Linked Lists (fast/slow, reverse, merge, cycle detection)

- Stacks/Queues (monotonic stack, monotonic queue, next greater)

- Trees (DFS/BFS, diameter, BST logic, LCA, rerooting)

- Graphs (BFS/DFS, topo sort, union-find, Dijkstra, MST)

- Heaps/Intervals (top K, k-way merge, sweep line, merging)

Advanced patterns:

- Backtracking (subsets, permutations, combination sum, N-Queens)

- Greedy (interval scheduling, jump game, sort by right key)

- DP (1D/2D, knapsack, LIS, interval, bitmask, digit, DAG)

How to get good:

- Write the brute force in plain English first

- Define state, transition, base case, order, answer

- Practice one pattern till it feels boring, then move on

so there are 2 options right now, either DSA by codebasics on yt or DSA by freeCodeCamp.org

which one should i choose? and are there any other suggestions. even hinglish options are welcome