A Common-Sense Guide to Data Structures and Algorithms
by Jay Wengrow · first published 2017
82% recommend18% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Approachable, visual introduction to data structures and algorithms with code examples; praised for explaining ideas without heavy math, making it a good starting point for beginners and self-learners.
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…took my interest. While reading it, I finally appreciated the scale and complexity of WW2. - Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess. Working through this one meant I actually started getting better at chess! - Common Sense Guide to Data Structures and Algorithms by Wengrow. The book that helped me become interested in data structures and algorithms, rather than being something I “should” learn about.
on “Ask HN: Which books do you consider real gems in your field of work/study?” ↗"A Common-Sense Guide to Data Structures and Algorithms, 2nd Edition" by Jay Wengrow is one I'd recommend every time. It really makes it easy enough to understand things I previously only considered to be the domain of math-oriented people. Not sure if it…
on “Ask HN: Looking for a book on algorithms and data structures” ↗…out there. Two I recommend are: - Algorithms, Coursera (Sedgewick, Wayne) - The Algorithm Design Manual (Skiena) I have recommended self-taught programmers in the past, which all of them liked: - A Common Sense Guide to Data Structures and Algorithms, PragProg (Jay Wengrow) - Algorithms Illumited, book or Coursera MOOC (Tim Rougharden)
on “Learning Algorithms” ↗I'd recommend "A Common-Sense Guide to Data Structures and Algorithms" by Jay Wengrow as a good intro to the topic
on “Ask HN: Books Similar to Code by Charles Petzold?” ↗A Common Sense Guide to Data Structures and Algorithms by Jay Wengrow was pivotal in me understanding the topic as a self-learner. Its non-esoteric approach was something I really needed before moving onto the Stanford and Princeton courses.
on “Ask HN: Do you recall any book or course that made a topic finally click?” ↗Thought the question was regarding specific books that teach programming via small projects it's worth mentioning a related topic here. A Common Sense Guide to Data Structures and Algorithms by Jay Wengrow * 2nd Edition * not only covers the theory really well but goes on to provide code examples in popular high level languages explaining when and how best to use them usefully. At the end…
on “Ask HN: Books that teach programming by building a series of small projects?” ↗After I passed a course and read other books on Algorithms, what really clicked Algorithms for me was this little known book: A Common Sense Guide to Data Structures and Algorithms by Jay Wengrow. This is what made Algorithms and Data Structures make sense to me. Later I read DPV and it was great, too.
on “Ask HN: What are the most eye-opening textbooks you have ever read?” ↗If you're a starter, I would heavily suggest A Common-Sense Guide to Data Structures and Algorithms by Jay Wengrow instead. It's written in a fantastic, easy to understand style and actually goes over everything as it explains it, both code examples and visualizations. https://pragprog.com/titles/jwdsal2/a-common-sense-guide-to-...
on “CS 61B Data Structures, Spring 2023 UC Berkeley” ↗Read books. Like, a lot of them. Start with Make It Stick (Brown et al.). Apply what this book teaches you to every one afterwards. Next, read and work through Exercises for Programmers (Hogan) and A Common Sense Guide to Data Structures and Algorithms (Wengrow). After you finish those two, read The Missing README (Riccomini et al.) and Extreme Programming Explained (Beck et al.). These two books provide very different viewpoints into the stuff that…
on “Ask HN: Any advice for success you would give to a Software Developer intern?” ↗For a very basic intro, "A common sense guide to data structures and algorithms" and "Grokking algorithms" are a couple of good books.
on “Avoiding Leetcode Anxiety” ↗I always recommend 'A Common Sense Guide to Data Structures and Algorithms' as well but I'd like to call out the 2nd edition has expanded the recursion chapters and in general the end of chapter assignments are better. The 2nd edition was born from several years of teaching…
on “Learning Algorithms” ↗…might think. The C Programming Language by Kernighan and Ritchie is one of the books I read early in life. Did not finish it. Still, a great book. I always feared the breadth of Algorithm books. "A Common Sense Guide to Data Structures and Algorithms" fro PragProg Bookshelf gave me very nice overview of DSA. Python Crash Course by Eric Matthes made programming click for me when I was in my second year in college.
on “Ask HN: The book that did it for you in math and/or CS?” ↗…Design Manual (I prefer his writing style over more formal textbooks like CLRS or Sedgewick's) to a more easy to digest piece when I'm really not in the mood for formality (last one was this week with "A Common-Sense Guide to Data Structures and Algorithms"). It helps me to refresh it with different styles of writing as I can go from a very broad overview to the details if/when I want but I always have the basics in my head. I hope I won't go for another…
on “My offer numbers from big companies” ↗…shape to potentially land a better paid job. I am currently using the following resources: * Neetcode * Competitive Programmer's Handbook https://cses.fi/book/book.pdf * Algorithm Design Manual + Common-Sense Guide to Data Structures and Algorithms as references when some algorithm doesn't click the first time and I need an alternative explanation Practice makes perfect in this case so I just keep practicing Leetcode problems and trying to identify…
on “Ask HN: Can you share your FAANG interview preparation story?” ↗