Algorithms Explained for Beginners - How I Wish I Was Taught

Why do we even care about algorithms? Why do tech companies base their coding interviews on algorithms and data structures? Why are algorithms such an integral part of computer science?

In this video I want to give you the WHY of algorithms and data structures so that you can be more excited to study algorithms and solve coding problems.

I also give a step-by-step plan to master and crack the coding interview as a software engineer.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 The amazing world of algorithms
1:46 But...what even is an algorithm?
2:45 Book recommendation + Shortform sponsor
4:14 Why we need to care about algorithms
6:00 How to analyze algorithms - running time & "Big O"
10:50 Optimizing our algorithm
13:25 Sorting algorithm runtimes visualized
14:30 Full roadmap & Resources to learn Algorithms

WHO AM I?
On this channel, my aim is to give you the tools, strategies and methods to learn to code effectively - according to science! In addition, I document my life as a self-taught software engineer.

DISCLAIMER: some of the links in the description may be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service using the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. This is no extra charge to you! Thanks for supporting Internet Made Coder :)

[anitagaikwad]

If there are 200 pages in a dictionary and we need to find a word, the computer can do two things:

First, it can find the word by starting from page 1 and looking through each page in order. Second, it can get the middle page and compare the word you are looking for to the word on that page. If the word you are looking for is on the same page, the computer can stop searching. Otherwise, it can see if the word is on left side or right side of the book, if the computer finds the word on one side then it will forget abouth the another side of the book and repeat the same steps until it finds the word, or determines that the word is not in the dictionary.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both methods.
If the word you are looking for is on page 1, the second method will take longer than the first method. However, if the word you are looking for is on the last page(consider), the second method will be faster.

A computer scientist will decide which method to use based on the specific situation, such as the size of the dictionary, the hardware and software being used, and the specific needs of the user.

[Papa-Kilo]

As a non-programmer who works in the tech industry, you just significantly demystified the concept of algorithms for me. Thank you, and well done.

[PerfectInterview]

Understanding how to create and optimize algorithms is the heart of coding (or software engineering as it’s called these days.) The rest is just learning the idiosyncrasies (syntax, memory management, etc.) of a particular language.

[javiantuna]

You explained this in the most amazing way. Thank you. I'm starting on this, there's no turning back now.

[coherentpanda]

I would highly suggest recommending the book 'A Common Sense Guide to Data Structures and Algorithms' by Jay Wengrow. It's language agnostic, and similarly explains how many algorithms like binary search work in plain language much like in this video. It was my "ah ha!" moment that no other video or book could explain clearly enough.

[IDeadDanI]

Just wanted to drop a comment and commend you on this video and the data structures one! It isn't easy for me to sit down and give full focus to tutorial/explanation videos such as this. But through your enthusiasm and editing style I was completely focused and also entertained. Well done man.

[divanbuys]

Bro... your explanations are ON POINT. I've been binge watching some of your videos as I'm looking to get into programming as a hobby and man, I constantly sit here going that makes sense!". Love your work and especially the way in which you easily get difficult ideas across.

[jagadeeshkumar]

How to get deeper into a programming language?
How to practically learn things like collecting the data and handling the data?
How should my approach be while solving a problem? (Like, should i give attention to every single letter, its type, if it is a digit, if it is an integer or float, if its positive or negative or zero, if you do that then this happens, if you do that then that happens...etc)

[revanthk]

Hey man, thanks for this video. It helped me overcome burnout from University's programming assessments.
Fuck my profs but I would like you to create more videos on teaching stuff in the Beginners to Your level range.
You're a professional at teaching, I'm impressed. Keep it up bro. Enjoy living life as a software engineer.

Again, thanks for this video.

[RobertoMas]

The way you explain is really easy to understand, thanks for that! It would be great if you can talk in another video of the Cracking the code interview or also get deeper practical real cases of the Big O notation

[SocialForeman]

Started studying comp science on my own. Learning a new skill that seems like will always be in high demand. Dig the vids. Love a good tutorial. Thx for the knowledge!!

[andrews]

Fantastic high level explanation. Outside of the hardware, algorithms and also interfaces/protocols are the crux of all computing

[mage]

I wish I met your video sooner. Never really knew how to approach learning Data Structures and Algorithms but now I do. Thank you.

[Mr.Aswin_Das]

The book page search is a clever way to explain algorithm... Very clever

[pvibe-rert]

The way of explanation you use is really very unique and incredible.

[hv]

Beautiful explanation! And yes lecture 3 from CS50 it's fantastic😃

[vfxart]

I remember in one of the CS50 courses instructor said the time it takes to turn on a lamp or dropping a ball to the ground a computer than take over a billion decision that's how fast things are.

[BartDemers]

OMG- I get my answers which are I can't find from my teacher. the question how we get what we want from code to do. the way you explain algorithms amazing. and it's just 2:10 sec and I'm really satisfied. keep it up this amazing work. can't wait to seee more from you. and also I'm write down every single thing in my notes to remind myself what code is what process is.

[shalisonline]

this is one of the best beginner algorithm explanation video out here, well done 🔥

[tonynewcastkeNE]

as a programmer with 20 years of VB to C# experience, i really enjoyed this