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Hello, myself Neel , I am from India, currently persuing btech from tier-3 clg and currently in 3rd yr. i want your advice how u solve any leetcode or any other dsa problem . Like when seeing a question what is your first approach howw u build logic like what i do is , picking a random question which i think i might solve , try to build code and try to pass the test case and after 10-15 min i do chatgpt to know where i was doing wrong and it tells. But then also even if the question is easy i am struck at its last step or missing base or edge cases
Like my peers , seniors are same not good at DSA they also do the same thing.Because of which i am not able to get good advise from them
I want to know how others solve u all solve a dsa question, I dont try to do pen or paper i just think in my mind and code, but others say do also on pen paper..i tried but i dont figure it what to write in the rough ntbk
Also pls tell me i havent made a specific ntbk for dsa(is it necessary?)
Pls give your valuable advise , i want to master dsa and stand out of the crowd..
Hi Friend!
_ I dont try to do pen or paper i just think in my mind and code, but others say do also on pen paper_
This advice is strongly promoted by our colleague Clive (CSFPython) - you may see him in the top of the user ranking - but he
is also now author of almost 100 tough puzzles at this site. So I think his words should be regarded as wisdom :)
Normally you use pen and paper to see how the puzzle behaves on some small examples.
after 10-15 min i do chatgpt to know where i was doing wrong and it tells
Probably try increasing this time. 10-15 minutes looks not enough to allow you to think yourself. If the problem isn't solved at once, let it wait for some time and try other problems. Generally try to avoid using chatgpt on easy problems, mainly because this approach literally "steals" your opportunity to learn. (well, and your future wages)
The puzzle which you can't solve on the first approach, and perhaps still can't solve on the 2-nd and 3-rd, but eventually you solve it some days later - this gives you the largest boost of experience (and self-esteem). Also of course it is good to improve debugging skills.
And of course last but not least is to study certain number of approaches and algorithms. E.g. I'm not sure I see any problems dedicated to "dynamic programming" in your list (perhaps start with "Sweet Harvest").
Overall, however, be sure that software engineers do not solve algorithmic puzzles every day (or even every year). Such puzzles nowadays mainly help you sharpen your brain and hone your smaller-coding and debugging skills.
ok sir! I will this way
Hi Neel!
One more thing - generally it's better not to address people "sir" in international chats/forums :) While it is pretty traditional way of respectful addressing in India (and some other countries), in UK and I believe mostly in US you don't call people "sir" unless you are police officer or something like this.
Thanks for pointing that out! I apologize for using 'sir' — didn't realize it comes across differently in UK/US contexts. I'll be more mindful going forward.