🚀 LeetCode in 2025
- Big tech (Amazon, Google, Microsoft) still use LeetCode-style interview questions.
- Over 3,000 problems make it overwhelming for beginners.
- This guide aims to make your LeetCode journey simpler and less painful.
💼 Why LeetCode Matters
- Not all companies ask DSA questions — startups often prefer project-based experience.
- Big tech → LeetCode prep is essential.
💻 Programming Language Choice
- Language doesn’t matter much — focus on problem-solving.
- Python is beginner-friendly; stick to what you know (C++, Java, JS, Go, etc.).
- Know the basics: variables, loops, conditions, arrays, functions, classes, I/O.
- Learn built-in libraries to save time (Python:
list,dict,set; Java:HashMap, etc.).
📚 Foundation Before Starting
- Understand Big O, time complexity, and key data structures & algorithms.
- Focus on arrays, strings, linked lists, stacks, queues, hash tables, trees.
- Learn recursion — crucial for tree and graph problems.
- Don’t chase perfection — just start learning.
🎓 Recommended Resources
- Data Structures → WilliamFiset (YouTube)
- Algorithms → Abdul Bari (YouTube)
- DSA Patterns → AlgoMasterIO (YouTube)
🧩 Step-by-Step Learning
- Learn one topic at a time (arrays → strings → linked lists → trees).
- Solve 4–5 easy problems per topic to build confidence.
🧠 Smart Problem Selection
- Start with easy problems, then move to medium.
- Focus on Top 100 Liked & Top Interview 150 lists.
- Aim for ~300 high-quality problems covering major patterns.
- Use algomaster.io for a curated 300-problem roadmap.
🔍 Quality Over Quantity
- Deeply understand each problem instead of rushing.
- After solving, ask: Why does this work? What’s the key insight?
🧠 Pattern Recognition
- Focus on problem patterns, not memorizing questions.
- Learn key patterns (e.g., monotonic stack) and apply them across problems.
- Find categorized pattern lists on algomaster.io.
✏️ Problem-Solving Strategy
- Read carefully — note constraints & examples.
- Start with brute force, then optimize.
- Use prefix sums, hash maps, two-pointers, etc.
- Always analyze time & space complexity.
⏱️ Practice Routine
- Easy → 10–15 mins
- Medium → 30 mins
- Hard → 60 mins
- Join LeetCode contests or simulate past ones to build speed.
🔁 Revision & Retention
- Regularly revisit old problems to strengthen memory.
- Rewrite solutions without looking.
- Avoid memorizing — understand logic deeply.
💪 Progress Mindset
- Improvement takes time and consistency.
- Feeling stuck is normal — take breaks and return later.
- Focus on learning, not perfection.
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