How do I learn algorithms? [closed]

Answer 1

good for you.

have you considered some college courses? ususally you can take some algorithm type classes there.

i find that a strong math background is very very helpful, both in problem solving, and basic number manipulation skills. Many of the things you do in programming are based on mathematical foundations. The algorithms you will end up using or creating will be drivin by the types of programs you wish to write.

Answer 2

From my experience: problems - will lead you over path you've choosen and languages will help you to look at it from different points of view. If you'll stick to only one or two languages you'll be able to continue, but you'll miss many things on your way, which may help you in future, which may give you some fun etc.
And... There is much more things that you can do besides programming. Don't make "I want to programming" as your primary goal. Use "I want to solve problem ..." and "I want to use programming for doing ...". (i.e. don't make the words be your target)
I think I've choosed this path because it was the easiest thing to do. No need for trainings every day, no need for doing repeatable work, no need to be ready for trip on next day, no need to prepeare bunch of materials and so on. Of course later I found that some of that things can exists even there.

Answer 3

The job of laying out a course of study in algorithms - and the other things you need to know to put them to use - especially one that leads to a career in computers, is the job of laying out the syllabus of a university course in Computer Science. Indeed I suspect that some universities provide little value except to lay out the syllabus and assess the students - the students do pretty much everything else for themselves. If at all possible, your goal should be to prepare yourself to get onto a course in Computer Science, whether by full or part time study.

My book recommendation would be "The Practice Of Programming," by Kernighan and Pike, especially if you plan to learn by doing. It doesn't go very deeply into algorithms, but in a few pages it should tell you enough about design and testing that when you practice you will find, fix, and learn from many of your mistakes, and get into the habit of writing programs that other people can look at without grimacing.

Answer 4

First of all...I think you should give yourself some time. Don't get drawn in many things at once learning programming can be a long process. As a first step I would recommend to study the a programming language(like you already do in python), and learn the concepts of programming (oo, recursion, loops, functions , variables etc) as good as you can.

As a second step you should try to answer the question "what exactly do I wanna do with programming?" and this is of course the most important ,it is really different when you do graphics , when you do DSP applications and when you do web development.So learning algorithms in general without having a specific target can be really frustrating sometimes.

So the most important elements can be patience and being focused, after all Rome wasn't built in a day... good luck

Answer 5

I wont give you many "do-this-do-that" suggestions, but a few things:

1. You learned Python all by yourself, kudos,esp when nobody around you is doing this.So you have already something to feel good about. Keep leveraging that stuff to grow your knowledge base.

2. You said you were 13. Python might have books to cater to your level of complexity but definitely not algorithms. Algorithms are serious business. There is a good level of mathematics in and around the domain of algorithms. And there is no way to sugarcoat that. Added to that, books on algorithms are industry wide known as hard to crack books. Ask Bill Gates and Don Knuth.

So I would say, if you want to learn computers because you love learning and yearning for knowledge, then I would suggest, at one side,

You are on the right track, to be frank I dont expect a 13 yr ol kid to know about algos. You are exploring Py, have plans with C,C++ I would say, great!

Strengthen your mathematics. Until unless you want to just implement different kinds of algos, and not scratch deep, you can do it. But algos are not only about that. So if you want to get a hold on it, you need to learn discrete mathematics. Discrete Mathematics wont come to you in 1month, 2months, or even 1 year. Be prepared to wait and bid your time. In the meantime, attack mathematics which is just on the edge of your competency.

Same with algos. Be prepared to visit this domain two or three times in the next five years. Each time you existing knowledge base will better compliment yourpursuit of algorithms.

Till then, Soham

Answer 6

In my approach to programming I think that the collected writing of Brian Kernighan are the most influential books on how to think like a programmer I've encountered. On the cover of "The Practice of Programming" are the words:

• Simplicity
• Clarity
• Generality

which given your noted interest in Python reads like the short form of PEP 20. Algorithms are a means to an end as are recipes in cooking. While it is true that you cannot make bread without knowing about the care and feeding of yeast, knowing that you want bread in the first place is the goal. Even though Kernighan's books may seem hopelessly outdated, their unifying themes of the craftsman spoken with a elegance that few technical writers even aspire to make for.

Machines are getting so fast that the formal study (e.g. Knuth) of algorithms can indeed make for a competent mechanic - but that's actually the easy part. What the apprentice of today should strive for is the artistry of the field because that is where humans are truly at their best.