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> most people (even around here) are insecure about their programming skill, and more-so their intelligence. > Instead of writing endless blog posts and intern

• hackinthebochs 14y ago
  It depends on your strategy for "getting better at these types of problems". You can cram and memorize all the algorithms you can, and that may allow you to pass some filters that you otherwise would not have. This strategy has its uses: besides being offered more jobs, you now have knowledge of these algorithms in your head and thus more tools in your toolbox. Ideally, the candidate would learn about these "exotic" data structures, understand their properties, learn the cases where they are useful, and most importantly develop mental heuristics to recognize patterns of problems and appropriate classes of solutions. This will also help you pass these filters, and in the process will absolutely make you a much better programmer.
  • doktrin 14y ago
    Fair. Speaking for myself, I have purposely avoided studying specifically for interviews. My reasoning was that by relying on my existing knowledge + logic, I would give my interviewers better insight into my thought process and approach to problem solving. If the benefits of spending time with this material are as significant as you say, perhaps I will revise my strategy (or, lack thereof).