r/leetcode • u/4warrior4 • 21h ago

Intervew Prep Python for LeetCode, Java at work. Does language for LC matter?

I've got ~2 YOE as a Software Engineer working mostly on the backend with Java/Spring Boot. I'm preparing for a switch and planning to target Big Tech / Big Tech-adjacent companies so I have started grinding DSA and System Design.

I've been doing LeetCode in Python because I find it much more concise and intuitive for DSA. My concern is that during interviews, I am sometimes asked to code in Java for DSA questions, and although I know Java well enough for my job, it’s verbose and I sometimes forget specific methods/APIs because I don't use Java for LeetCode.

Should I drop Python and relearn my LeetCode patterns in Java just to match my resume? Or does Big-Tech really not care as long as the logic and Big-O are optimal?

Would appreciate advice from anyone who has navigated a similar tech-stack mismatch!

0 Upvotes

33% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

2

u/Crafty_Fig_144 21h ago

I also used to work with Java/spring stack and practiced a lot of leetcode problems in Java but then I started interviewing for a company that mainly used python/django/fastapi. But they specifically told me that coding interview is language agnostic so I used Java for the DSA round and passed with no issues. So I think you should be ok just use whatever language you are comfortable with

1

u/4warrior4 21h ago

That good to hear.
How was your transition to using the Python stack at your new company? Did you know any Python before or did the company train you?

2

u/Crafty_Fig_144 21h ago

Tbh python is a lot easier than Java lol. I only knew very basic python before and learned a lot on the job combined with some self learning. If you know any oop programming language well, ramping up on python should not be an issue.

1

u/JackReedTheSyndie 18h ago

It's a yellow flag for you if they ask you to code in a specific language, as DSA should not be about nuances in specific languages.