Four years ago, I embarked on a journey to master Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA). At the time, I didnโt realize the impact it would have on my coding skills, problem-solving ability, and overall mindset as a developer. What started as a way to improve my fundamentals has turned into an obsession with breaking down problems and solving them effectively.
Three years ago, I discovered LeetCodeโa platform that would become my primary battleground. Through hundreds of coding problems, countless hours of debugging, and a ton of 'aha!' moments, Iโve learned more than I ever thought possible.
500 Questions Completed ๐
Today, Iโm proud to say Iโve completed 500 LeetCode problems. Here's a breakdown of my progress so far:
- Easy: 146 questions
- Medium: 281 questions
- Hard: 73 questions
Itโs been an incredible journey of growth. Each category of problems has taught me something different:
Easy problems: Helped me cement my understanding of basic data structures and algorithms. These were the building blocks that allowed me to develop a strong foundation.
Medium problems: This is where I truly started to see growth. These problems challenged me to apply my knowledge in more complex and practical scenarios. I began to see patterns emerge and learned how to optimize my solutions.
Hard problems: These are a different beast altogether. Every hard problem was like solving a puzzle that initially seemed insurmountable. However, as I worked through them, I learned the importance of patience, persistence, and taking an analytical approach to break down seemingly impossible problems.
Whatโs Next: Going Full Rogue for the Next 30 Days ๐ฅ
While Iโve accomplished a lot so far, Iโm far from done. My goal for the next 30 days is to go all-in and push myself to the limit. Hereโs my plan:
Complete 60 more Hard Problems: Tackling hard problems has been incredibly rewarding, and I want to finish another 60 before the month is over. I know itโs going to be tough, but Iโm ready to face the challenge head-on.
Revise What Iโve Learned: With 500 questions under my belt, itโs important to revisit and reinforce the concepts Iโve already covered. I plan to spend time reviewing my previous solutions, refining my understanding, and ensuring I have a solid grasp on the different approaches Iโve used.
Focus on Weak Areas: As part of my revision, Iโll be identifying areas where Iโve struggled in the past and dedicating time to improve. Whether itโs dynamic programming, graph theory, or advanced tree problems, I want to make sure Iโm well-rounded across all topics.
Why Iโm Doing This
So why push myself so hard? For me, DSA isnโt just about getting better at solving coding problemsโit's about becoming a better thinker. Itโs about improving the way I approach complex situations, both in code and in life. Mastering these concepts gives me the confidence that I can tackle any technical challenge thrown my way.
In addition, Iโm also preparing for future career opportunities. Companies increasingly prioritize strong problem-solving skills, and having this experience under my belt gives me a competitive edge.
The Final Stretch
The next 30 days are going to be intense, but Iโm excited for the challenge. Iโm committed to going full rogueโno distractions, just pure focus on mastering these final 60 hard problems and revisiting everything Iโve learned so far.
Iโll be sharing updates on my progress, along with any insights I gain along the way. If youโre also on a DSA journey or looking to start one, feel free to follow along. We can motivate and learn from each other!
Stay tuned for updatesโand if you want to check out my LeetCode profile, here it is: Starkprince. Letโs do this!
TL;DR: After four years of doing DSA and three years of grinding on LeetCode, Iโve solved 500 problemsโ146 easy, 281 medium, and 73 hard. Over the next 30 days, Iโm going full rogue to finish 60 more hard problems and revise everything Iโve learned so far.
Letโs crush it together! ๐ช
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