The LeetCode Fallacy

#coding #neetcode #python

[NeetCode]

Damn I almost forgot I even had this channel.

[codewithAyii]

You had me at the Naruto Chunin Exams reference

[og-tombar]

NeetCode is probably one of the best resources for technical interview preparation.
I just got accepted to a Google Software Engineering Internship that starts this June, and I wouldn't have made it without your help.
I owe you a huge one, brother.

Cheers,
Tom

[lys]

Thanks a lot for your effort.
I looked at your blind75 solutions and coded them along the way, I even used the debugger sometimes.
After 2 weeks (left time to ensure I dont write off of memory), I tried to solve the problem on my own. If I could figure out the patterns, it was a matter of 10 mins to code. Sure I had some edge case issues but now I am in much better shape.
Your videos explain the logic very well.
I used to feel very bad when I was doing this for the first time and couldnt see the solution right away. But as you said, this is the learning phase.
After finishing the 75 problems for the 2nd time I was able to solve others by applying the patterns. And got confidence along the way.
I am not interested in joining faangs, I study for my own knowledge and to become a better interviewer.
A tip for folks: the best time to prepare is when you are not looking for a job.

[jamesisaacson]

I am a farmer and will try memoizing instead of memorizing from now on 😅

[rafehuynh]

5 months ago, I couldn't solve any easy problems, but after 5 months of Neetcode, I can finally solve easy and medium problems by myself

[houz]

I just learned how multiplication works from this video😂😂

[purdysanchez]

Ironically, the majority of programmers can't solve those problems off the top of their head in the 15 - 45 minute time window under extreme pressure. Coding questions are fundamentally broken. You end up with people who memorize the top questions but have no idea about calculating time complexity or system architecture. They end up turning an API into 10 microservices even though their system only has to support 1000 users per hour.

[DavidM_]

Thanks for putting some light on this. I'm working on turning my coding hobby into a career change, and I love trying to solve difficult problems (LC or otherwise) on my own. Sometimes I need a little reminder that my goal is learning, not just rediscovering the wheel. Gotta stay balanced.

[JTBanks]

This is 100% true, at least in my life. My final exam for Data Structures and Algorithms I failed 2 coding problems, professor asked to hand write pseudo code, I tried, but it was a mess whether this was due to nervousness, or just not believing in myself, I honestly can't say. We were taking the exam 1 on 1 via Zoom call (this is 2020, covid). He took a long look at my solutions and plainly asked me how would I solve it, in plain english, so I told him, and he walked me through writing that out in a pseudo way. I knew how to solve it, I just needed him to ask me questions. So, TLDR, never doubt yourself, and IMO always learn how to solve a problem, intimately, no matter what. Even if it's simple, it's all building blocks and it continues for the rest of your life. Super long comment, but Thank you Neet, you've made a big difference in my life!

[MeeraSherin]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

[00:01] Why LeetCode Might Not Be All It's Cracked Up to Be
- LeetCode problems are not designed to teach you algorithms from scratch.
- The focus is on applying memorized solutions rather than understanding core concepts.
[00:27] LeetCode Interviews Compared to Long Multiplication
- LeetCode emphasizes rote memorization over critical thinking, similar to how long multiplication is often taught in schools.
- True understanding goes beyond memorizing steps.
[02:57] Breaking Down Complex Problems
- Complex problems can be solved by transforming them into simpler problems we already know how to solve.
- This is the foundation of problem-solving and what LeetCode should be teaching.
[03:12] Natural Aptitude Isn't Everything
- While a strong math background can be beneficial, problem-solving can be learned and improved.
[03:41] Finding the Balance Between Memorization and Problem-Solving
- LeetCode should be used strategically to learn core algorithms, not memorize solutions for every problem.
- The goal is to understand how to apply the right algorithms to different situations.

Made with HARPA AI

[Sulerhy]

How to learn efficiently is more important than how much you learned

[itsjustramblings]

Interviewing in tech has become a job in itself. And for live coding interviews you need to have memorized syntax and problem patterns so well that you have to make it look like you are seeing the problem for first time and act as if you are coming up with a solution on the spot. If you answer quickly then too bad 😆. Tech is mainstream now so whatever rules few prominent companies set the rest blindly follow. 10 years back, one would have attended different formats at diff companies a whiteboard interview at 1 company, a phone coding interview at another and in-person coding at some others.

[nerdy_crawfish]

FYI, if a farmer didn’t have great problem solving skills they would be bankrupt very quickly. They are not a group you should underestimate.

[rafik]

8 month ago, I was afraid of taking the step to begin solving problem on leetcode. I was losing hope. Until i found your video that present your roadmap and neetcode. I started to follow the roadmap... Now i solved around 300 problems. Thanks not enough.

[squid]

Yes, patterns are much more important than solutions themselves. I've gotten to the point where I can solve almost any easy problem I encounter and about half of the medium problems I encounter thanks to you.

[Isagi__]

Would appreciate if you do more of videos like this. They really help.

[imsleepy]

I always thought people invented the algorithms to solve these problems on the fly before I learned that they were just applying what they had memorized and practiced many times before. The same is applicable for things like math olympiads, too.

[FreerunTMac]

I made a
mistake and started cramming for two weeks when i was given a coding assessment by Amazon. Needless to say, it was a dumpster fire. As a senior engineer, it hurt my ego, but reinforced just how technical and isolated this area of prep is. I need to take the proactive approach, studying a little each day for months.

[MrSzybciutki]

You are damn right with the thing you described as an intersection of memorization and problem solving and not falling into extremes. This is exactly how they prepare kids for math olympiads or algorithmic contests. If you didn't attend one of those places, you can read interviews with people who scored top in those contests (look those up, they are extremely insightful) and sure, they will always tackle problems, usually giving them more time than an average person, but they won't go to the extreme to hang on it until they solve it. Which is the biggest mistake of people who try to prepare for those things on their own. You could tackle way more problems in the meantime and be more productive instead of headbanging a wall. And if you want to win those contests, you need to be first and foremost productive and on schedule. You can't do that effectively on your own. You need tutors, mentors to help you prod you just enough in the right direction. The tutor won't usually give you the answer straight away. But they know personally their pupils so they will just give you just enough hints for you to narrow down the discovery stage of the problem solving for you to go into the right direction saving you hours of low-productive work.