Reddit reviews Data Structures and Algorithms in Java (2nd Edition)

https://www.amazon.com/Data-Structures-Algorithms-Java-2nd/dp/0672324539

Probably one of the best books I've read for DS with Java.

I've not read that book, but the reviews look mediocre. I think this book is great for beginners that know Java, and the reviews are much higher.

The only other advice I have is make sure you fully understand the concepts before moving on to interview prep kinds of questions.

Read this: http://www.amazon.com/Data-Structures-Algorithms-Java-Edition/dp/0672324539/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1346820032&sr=8-2&keywords=data+structures+and+algorithms+in+java

It's written to be extremely easy to follow and understand. It also gives examples of the various uses of each data structure, and includes the source code for the data structures themselves.

I read this book cover to cover at around a half a chapter a day and came out with a very deep and well rounded understanding of the topic (plus some sorting algorithms).

Do not get a book on Data Structures in C if you aren't well versed in the syntax. Java presents the smallest barrier (syntax/language specific features wise) to learning of the languages you listed.

Ah i really thought you'd say something like that. I had a similar mindset too when I started. Imo its a good attitude to have but it can be a bit of a curse because the hardest material doesn't come easily and it can be demotivating. (Isn't that why your here) Programming is one of those things where you want to start simple and improve you knowledge over time. You can do your projects/games in any language so why not pick one that makes your life easier when starting out. If you feel your being held back by your first language then by all means learn another one.

I'm not saying don't learn C++, it is a great language to learn if you can, and you will be aware of many things that java hides from you however I am saying it shouldn't be your first language, learn to walk before you run.

Here is the data structures book I read - it has served me very well. Not as 'comprehensive' or 'rigorous' perhaps as Introduction to algorithms by cormen but really its a great place to start. I find his style very easy to understand, it tries not to be too dry where as the cormen book is a classic but its so hard to understand.
amazon

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I had an internship with Amazon during my Sophomore to Junior summer. I also received offers from Microsoft and Google to intern this upcoming summer (Junior to Senior), but instead took an offer from Fog Creek Software. I have friends that have interned or are full time at Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, all from Rutgers University.

My advice is to anyone looking to get one of these positions is:

1. Start early, companies have only so many positions, and once they are taken, they stop looking. Generally this means you need to apply by November.
   
   
2. Data Structures and Algorithms, know them inside and out, know their complexity, know how to implement them, know their tradeoffs, and know when to use them. A great book for someone who has never done any data structure stuff is Data Structures and Algorithms in Java. I took CS111 and read this book and was able to get through the Amazon interview.
   
   
3. Read and do the exercises in Cracking the Coding Interview. Also use the author's resume template for making your resume.
   
   
4. Interview every chance you get. Seriously, I interviewed at about 15 places before I interviewed with Amazon, by the time that I got to the Amazon interview, I was fairly comfortable with the process. I was still nervous about the interview, but I knew generally what to expect and didn't get hung up on their curveball questions.
   
   
5. Pick a single club, whether it be IEEE, USACS, RUMad, etc. and be deeply involved with it. You can be a member of more than one, but you should be really involved with one.
   
   
6. Pick a language and know it. You aren't going to lose points because you don't know Python, or Ruby, or whatever else is the hot language this month. Java, C, C++, you should know one of these languages, and preferably two, C and then either Java or C++.
   
   
7. And finally, the only way to really know a programming language is to use it, so program, program, program, and then program some more. While you're doing all this programming, you should take a few minutes out of your day to learn about source control (git or git, there are no other options :) ). Then put the cool stuff you make on github or some other source control website.
   
   This may seem like a lot because well frankly it is. But if you actually enjoy programming and computer science, than this is pretty straight forward and easy. And finally, don't get discouraged. Just because you didn't make it into one of these companies the first time you apply, doesn't mean you'll never make it. Some people don't interview well(it is its own skill, hence #4), some people just can't build out a good resume(seriously use the template that I provided and read cracking the coding interview from front to back), and other people just aren't ready(you really need to program a lot). But that doesn't mean that you will never make it with them, just give it another year, identify your weakness, and work on it.

I was in the same position like you. I tried all the various sources. but the explaination in the 'Data Structures and Algorithms in Java' book helped me lot to understand all the data structure and algorithm very clearly.

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Tip:

• Read about one algorithm or data structure topic.
  
• close the book
  
• Now try to write the same program on paper. (not on a laptop)
  
• Notice the places where you stuck during writing a program.
  
• Open the book and compare your code with code in the book and see your mistake.
  
• Repeat till you write correct program without any help.
  
  ​
  
  This way you will improve super fast.
  
  ​
  
  Book link:
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Data-Structures-Algorithms-Java-2nd/dp/0672324539

I’m currently reading through a book by Robert Lafore, called “Data Structures & Algorithms in Java.”

I’m learning a lot and it’s really helping reinforce what I learned in class and filling in gaps I missed.

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Data-Structures-Algorithms-Java-2nd/dp/0672324539/ref=sr_1_1?crid=76STTU4P9H2T&keywords=data+structures+and+algorithms+in+java&qid=1557891534&s=gateway&sprefix=data+structures+and%2Caps%2C198&sr=8-1

this is a great video tutorial for C++ in my opinion (helpls if you have some java or c experience)

https://channel9.msdn.com/Series/C9-Lectures-Stephan-T-Lavavej-Core-C-/Stephan-T-Lavavej-Core-C-1-of-n

This is my data structs and algs book my class used. It basically have full examples of everything you're going to do in Java and has good tips. Big book but easy to parse for information.

http://www.amazon.com/Data-Structures-Algorithms-Java-2nd/dp/0672324539/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1457070413&sr=8-6&keywords=data+structures+and+algorithms


Here's a good link to some software that helps visualize algorithms. (I believe this is the right link)

https://www.cs.usfca.edu/~galles/visualization/Algorithms.html


Hopefully those links work.

algorithms and data structures in java relatively good for brushing up

Get started on data structures and algorithms, or maybe give android a try.

Absolutely. The best preparation I've had for real work was working through this book and making my own implementations of library functions (not because I can do it better, but because I can practice fundamentals and fully understand the side-effects of various functions/methods.

I would use Daniel lafores book it's university recommended and it's not full of mathematical syntactical clutter. Its a straightforward book with great clarity.

The way you describe is using generics which at the start is odd to deal with but is easier in the long run.

https://www.amazon.com/Data-Structures-Algorithms-Java-2nd/dp/0672324539

If you Google it you'll find it on uni websites.

who are you taking CS2 with?

my best advice is if you are struggling with the data structures in Java, get this textbook it's a Java DS & Algorithms book that is very easy to follow along with and the code is very well organized!

I used it when trying to build a Binary Tree Data Structure and it helped so much!

don't feel bad about failing, just keep moving and ignore anybody who tries to put you down. I failed out of college and things are going okay for me, things could very well be way worse, so just be happy as best you can. Use failure to better yourself and motivate yourself.

I took CS2 with Jason Smith, I do not recommend him for that class, he will just expect you to teach yourself everything, his projects also get a lot harder. He is only good because he covers a lot of material, not because he is a good teacher.

also avoid Zuilian Khan, that man lies out of his teeth, just be cautious about who you take, so many people just go into CS and expect good teaching at UTD and so many people fail because the profs are just not there for you, at least the ones i had so far.

learn as much as you can from class and be nice to people, work with others and you will be in better shape for the road ahead!

best of luck to you!

Data Structures for Coding Interviews in Java: From Soup to Nuts
Data Structures and Algorithms in Java (2nd Edition)

Well, I learned Java programming from the ground up during my computer science classes at community college (I should note it's a pretty decent community college). Decent as it is, most of my learning was done through the use of textbooks, with the teachers mostly just giving assistance when you hit a bump in the road. With the internet though, you really don't need teachers, just forums to post at (or reddit, or IRC).

The first class was taught using this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Java-Programming-Joyce-Farrell/dp/032459951X

2nd class:

http://www.amazon.com/Starting-Out-Java-Control-Structures/dp/0321421027/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331159174&sr=1-4

3rd class:

http://www.amazon.com/Data-Structures-Algorithms-Java-2nd/dp/0672324539/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331159206&sr=1-1

The first two books cover a lot of the same material, so if you choose to go the textbook route I would just choose one of those (as you can tell from the reviews, the 2nd book is probably the better choice although the 1st book isn't as bad as the reviews would lead one to believe). There may be better starter books, but these were what were recommended at my school and they worked well enough for me. Whatever you choose to learn the basics with, I highly recommend the Data Structures and Algorithms textbook afterwards.

Good luck!

Also I've heard a lot about your recommendation there - Code Complete. I'm wondering if that counts as "software engineer" stuff? Is there a book out there to turn a "programmer" into a "software engineer"? I'm really not sure what the heck the term means but I know it's something about managing large code between other programmers in an efficient manner. That's just a guess, but again, no idea if that's important to learn or if there are books for that without the title of "software engineering".

Also not sure the order in which to learn subjects. I'm guessing data structures is first, then code complete, then software engineering stuff? I am willing to read Code Complete alongside this book http://www.amazon.com/Data-Structures-Algorithms-Java-Edition/dp/0672324539

Which I'm only 40 pages in so far, but it's good. What do you think?

I just finished taking Data Structures at my university and really enjoyed Data Structures and Algorithms by Robert LaFore
I think this book is the best introductory data structures book out there.

Albiet it's a bit dated:
https://www.amazon.com/Data-Structures-Algorithms-Java-2nd/dp/0672324539
But I really enjoyed the book.

I was once in your situation. Here is what I did.

• Find yourself a list of algorithms and data structures. A good place to look are on websites that have study guides for technical interviews or a table contents of an algorithms book. Anything that has Lists, Hash Tables, Sorting is a good place to look.
  
• Do some research on when said data structures and algorithms are taught in schools. Take your list and sort it from easy to hard.
  
• Go through your list, from the top down, and read (or watch videos, as I did) about those specific algorithms.
  
• And here is the important part: implement them from scratch. Create code and test data to exercise the code to see how it works. This will help you understand the algorithm better than any book.
  
  
  So, to answer your question (which is the first point I listed), Khan academy is good, but I think any videos or write-ups will do. The big problem is getting a priority list of things you need to learn, from the most fundamental (like Lists) to topics that utilize fundamental building blocks (like an A* search or dynamic programming). What helped me formulate such a list was the Table of Contents from algorithms books (good book, btw), course outlines offered by Universities, or certain websites with big lists.
  
  In terms of resources, the MIT data structures and algorithms lectures are available online for free. I used those when I got into the harder stuff, like dynamic programming. Prior to that, I googled a single algorithm, watched a video, and wrote a program. After that, I attempted to implement some google-style interview questions.

I would recommend against reading that book. It never goes in-depth enough, and absolutely sucks as a beginner's Algorithms book.

The best Algorithms book is still CLRS. If you want specific implementation look for Robert Sedgewick's Algorithms books.
There's also a more user friendly book (uses Java): http://www.amazon.com/Data-Structures-Algorithms-Robert-Lafore/dp/0672324539

I like this one... it's not a "beginners" beginners book (it assumes you know some of the basics it already) but it is very informative and thorough.

Data Structures and Algorithms in Java