Should I stop doing DSA in Java and switch to Python for FAANG prep?

Posted by Pristine_Fun2146@reddit | Python | View on Reddit | 10 comments

Need honest career advice.

I’m confused about what language I should focus on for DSA and interviews.

My current background:

I know basic Java (have been learning it for around 1 year)
I use Java mainly for DSA/interview prep
I’m not very consistent with Java
I’ve solved around 80–90 DSA problems so far
I’m already a MERN developer
I also know basic Next.js
Long term, I do not want to become a Java backend developer
I’m not interested in Spring Boot / Java backend roles

This is my main problem:
Because I don’t see myself becoming a Java developer in the long term, I don’t enjoy practicing Java that much. And because I don’t enjoy it, I’m very inconsistent with DSA in Java.

Now I’m confused:

Should I continue Java only for DSA and interviews?
Or should I shift to Python for DSA/interview prep since it feels easier and maybe I’ll stay more consistent?
For FAANG / top product companies, does it matter much if I do DSA in Java vs Python?
Since I already come from MERN, would switching to Python be a smarter move for consistency and interviews?

My goal is:

Crack top product companies / FAANG-level interviews
Stay consistent with DSA
Focus on a language I can actually continue long term

I don’t want to waste more time forcing Java if it’s not the right fit for me.

Would really appreciate advice from people who’ve been in a similar situation.

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Python-ModTeam@reddit

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SorryWerewolf4735@reddit

id say add python, and replace java with rust.

gdchinacat@reddit

Diid people use perl on purpose, or was it decades old legacy code no one could decipher to rewrite? Asking as a former perl developer.

a mix? some legacy stuff needs to be used still, so developing on top of that code base is sometimes necessary, often very critical to everything. other things are broken out into other languages (more python). One of the top companies most people would like to be at.

nian2326076@reddit

If you don't plan to stick with Java for a long time and you already know MERN and Next.js, you might want to switch to Python for DSA. Python is simpler and often used in interviews. Since you're already comfortable with JavaScript, Python should be easier for you than Java. It's widely used in FAANG interviews, so it could fit better with your plans. Focus on understanding DSA concepts, no matter the language. If you need interview prep resources, check out PracHub. Many people find it helpful for improving their skills. Do what's best for your career path and interests!

marr75@reddit

The FAANGs over-hired up through COVID and are shedding staff. I imagine they'll be in this cycle for several more years. At which time there will be thousands of former-FAANG engineers who will be competing for every posting you want (along with tens of thousands of desperate freshers and automation pressure).

Having your career plan be "work at FAANG" as a listless "basic" developer is like an okay highschool football player having the NFL as their career plan. It's not impossible but the odds are against you.

BeamMeUpBiscotti@reddit

it's faster to write Python than Java, so most people I know use Python in interviews regardless of what they use day-to-day

I wouldn't pick up Java just for interviews

thicket@reddit

Unless you’re learning something with a really different paradigm, (Scheme, Haskell, etc) language ought to be irrelevant.

If you’re at a stage where the differences between a couple languages’ quirks get in the way of implementing basic DSA algorithms, you’re a year or more away from competitive interviewing, in my long-ago ex-FAANG opinion.

me_myself_ai@reddit

If you don't like Java('s relevant subfields), I see little reason to stick with it in general! Unless you're

close to being done with this round of job searching already, or
feel like learning python syntax would be especially difficult,

I'd give python a try!

I can say for sure that at Google, we were told to accept whatever language the interviewee chose (unless it was confusing or something, I guess?), which means I can confidently guess that the main biases to worry about for FAANG are random personal one, and thus not worth worrying about ahead of time.

(I personally happen to think that people who do interviews in a syntax-heavy language by choice are insane, but that's just my bias!)

aloobhujiyaay@reddit

If you’re inconsistent in Java that’s already your answer