A Common Sense Guide to Data Structures and Algorithms

Studying algorithms is probably the kind of New Year’s resolution that every developer shares. And of course, like most New Year’s resolutions, it soon gets forgotten. I have no idea how many years in a row I’ve set studying algorithms as one of my New Year’s goals. It’s a terrible thing. Still, these days there are plenty of good books for studying algorithms. This book, ‘A Common Sense Guide to Data Structures and Algorithms’, is one I picked up almost without thinking when I dropped by the library, drawn in by its irresistibly sexy title. And indeed, it’s as easy as the title claims. You can understand it on a common sense level. I’ve read several books that cover basic algorithms over the years, but I’ve never seen explanations this meticulous. It hammers each step of an algorithm into your head through clean illustrations. Because it’s so easy to understand, it’s actually fun. I even read this book while standing on the subway during rush hour. That makes it a quick read. An algorithm book that’s a page turner—what a surprise. Of course, the world of algorithms is so vast that even the basics can’t be covered by a single thin book like this. So I hope the author publishes a second volume soon. I even looked up who the author is. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaywengrow/#experience-section Wishing him all the best.

2018.11.15

Jay Wengrow. 2017. A Common Sense Guide to Data Structures and Algorithms. Translated by Shim Ji-hyun. Gilbut