I don't know about the OP or anyone else, but I've always found it easier to learn about a fundamental algorithm when I've got a real problem to use it on, in a

I don't know about the OP or anyone else, but I've always found it easier to learn about a fundamental algorithm when I've got a real problem to use it on, in a real project that's in front of me. The problem isn't one of rediscovery, it's knowing that a solution exists in the first place.