My Top 4 Resources for Learning and Revising DSAs

If you’re preparing for technical interviews and need to brush up on your Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) knowledge, you’re in the right place. I’ve curated a collection of both free and paid resources that have proven invaluable for interview preparation, especially when time is limited.

The Four Core Resources

1. Meta Preparation Hub

This platform features instruction from Gayle Laakmann McDowell, author of the legendary Cracking the Coding Interview. The resource covers major data structures and algorithms with short and easy-to-understand lessons.

Pros:

Clear, concise explanations
Taught by an industry expert
Great for foundational learning

Cons:

Notably excludes graph topics

Recommendation: Highly recommended for building a solid foundation.

2. Google Tech Dev Guide

A comprehensive platform covering four major domains:

Introduction to Computer Science
Foundations of Programming
Data Structures & Algorithms
Interview Preparation

Key Advantage: You can select your preferred programming language while exploring an extensive list of DSA topics.

Best For: Those who want structured learning paths across multiple CS fundamentals.

3. HackerRank Preparation Kit

This platform offers a curated list of coding challenges from top companies with structured timelines:

1-week plan - Intensive crash course
1-month plan - Balanced preparation
3-month plan - Comprehensive coverage

Recommendation: I strongly recommend this specifically for the coding interview stage. The problems are well-curated and mirror real interview questions.

4. LeetCode Study Plan

Features daily problems across progressive difficulty levels:

Level 1: 14 days
Level 2: 21 days
Level 3: Premium (worth the investment!)

Unique Benefit: Compare your solutions with other users post-submission. This is invaluable for learning different approaches and optimizations.

Pro Tip: Don’t just solve problems—study other people’s solutions to learn new patterns and techniques.

Bonus Resource: Frontend Masters Course

Course: “A Practical Guide to Algorithms with JavaScript” by Bianca Gandolfo

This 4-hour theoretical deep-dive covers:

Complexity analysis (Big O notation)
Algorithm tradeoffs
Benefits and drawbacks of different approaches

Why It Matters: Understanding the theory behind algorithms is just as important as solving problems. This course bridges that gap perfectly.

Key Takeaway

Comprehensive DSA preparation requires both:

Practical problem-solving - Actually coding solutions
Theoretical understanding - Knowing why algorithms work and when to use them

Don’t just memorize solutions. Understand the patterns, the tradeoffs, and the reasoning behind each approach. That’s what will set you apart in interviews.

Pro Tip: Mix resources based on your timeline. If you have 3 months, use all of them. If you have 1 week, focus on HackerRank’s 1-week plan and the Frontend Masters course for theory.

Happy coding, and good luck with your interviews! 🚀