How do I start Data Structures and Algorithms?

Posted by Aggressive_Fault_72@reddit | learnprogramming | View on Reddit | 13 comments

I am done with java basics and decent OOP, I want to start with DSA but I am completely confused about which resources to refer to like a book or course or something.

Please help.

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SpeckiLP@reddit

Grokking Algorithms is a really approachable starting point if textbooks usually feel dry to you. The visuals helped things click way faster for me than jumping straight into harder academic material.

Big thing is just pairing every topic with a few actual coding problems right away.

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Free-Cheek-9440@reddit

DSA becomes clear only when you see repetition in patterns, not definitions.
So instead of asking “which resource is best,” focus on “which one keeps me solving daily.”
Consistency matters way more than the source at this stage.
Even a basic YouTube playlist can work if you stick to it properly.

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BeginningOne8195@reddit

Honestly the important thing is less about finding the “perfect” resource and more about consistently practicing problems while learning the concepts step by step.

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The_KOK_2511@reddit

No le des muchas vueltas a lo del curso, casi cualquiera sirve, más bien te recomendaría proyectos para que vayas empleando lo que aprendas, en este caso creo que un CLI, una mini-base de datos con sistema de parseo propio y si puede encriptacion también, un pequeño servidor con solucitudes, creo que ese tipo de cosas podrían servirte, si alguien tiene otro recomiendelo también

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Playful-Sock3547@reddit

if you already finished java basics and oop then you are in a good spot to start dsa. my biggest advice is do not jump straight into leetcode or random hard problems because that usually overwhelms beginners. first build the fundamentals properly. start with arrays strings linked lists stacks queues hashmaps recursion sorting and binary search before touching trees and graphs. for resources abdul bari on youtube is amazing for concepts and if you want a structured path striver dsa sheet is really beginner friendly once you know the basics. also do not just watch videos solve easy problems after every topic because dsa only clicks when you struggle with implementation a bit. consistency matters way more than speed here.

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bharat-ka-itihas@reddit

checkout WsCube Tech's DSA tutorials, they helped me a lot!! and for structured learning you can also checkout there courses.

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aseV9@reddit

Coursera has a course by Sedgewick you can follow for free, its really really good and his book is super helpful as well - algorithms 4th edition by sedgewick and wayne

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rustyseapants@reddit

https://mta.ca/~rrosebru/oldcourse/263114/Dsa.pdf

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Machvel@reddit

CLRS is the standard text for algorithms (and data structures). people have varying views on it, but its the standard. depending on how you learn you could just open that book up and start there.

if you like more structure my recommendation for learning any standard subject is to find a past course webpage for it online. ie, find the course equivalent of what you want to learn on some universities website (eg, uc berkeley, stanford, ...) then try finding a past webpage of it online. typically these have syllabi (including the book(s) for the course), schedules, homeworks, and so on.

algorithms is a fundamental course so i would think there are a handful of opencourses for it online (video lectures + webpage) if that is your type of thing.

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victoria_suszek23@reddit

Don't overthink the resource pick, that's where most people stall. Start with free resources on YouTube, do one problem a day in Java, and accept that the first two weeks will feel terrible and that's normal, not a sign you're bad at it. Are you trying to get interview-ready by a specific date or just learning at your own pace?

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