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Business & Economics

Cracking the Coding Interview

By Gayle Laakmann McDowell

CareerCup, LLC

Description

I am not a recruiter. I am a software engineer. And as such, I know what it's like to be asked to whip up brilliant algorithms on the spot and then write flawless code on a whiteboard. I've been through this as a candidate and as an interviewer. Cracking the Coding Interview, 6th Edition is here to help you through this process, teaching you what you need to know and enabling you to perform at your very best. I've coached and interviewed hundreds of software engineers. The result is this book. Learn how to uncover the hints and hidden details in a question, discover how to break down a problem into manageable chunks, develop techniques to unstick yourself when stuck, learn (or re-learn) core computer science concepts, and practice on 189 interview questions and solutions. These interview questions are real; they are not pulled out of computer science textbooks. They reflect what's truly being asked at the top companies, so that you can be as prepared as possible. WHAT'S INSIDE? - 189 programming interview questions, ranging from the basics to the trickiest algorithm problems. - A walk-through of how to derive each solution, so that you can learn how to get there yourself. - Hints on how to solve each of the 189 questions, just like what you would get in a real interview. - Five proven strategies to tackle algorithm questions, so that you can solve questions you haven't seen. - Extensive coverage of essential topics, such as big O time, data structures, and core algorithms. - A behind the scenes look at how top companies like Google and Facebook hire developers. - Techniques to prepare for and ace the soft side of the interview: behavioral questions. - For interviewers and companies: details on what makes a good interview question and hiring process.

Summary by AI

Author's Background

Gayle Laakmann McDowell is a former software engineer at Google, Microsoft, and Apple. She has extensive experience in the tech industry and has interviewed numerous candidates.

Main Theme

The book focuses on preparing readers for technical interviews, particularly for software engineering roles. It covers data structures, algorithms, system design, and behavioral questions.

Key Points

Interview Preparation:
- Provides a structured approach to preparing for coding interviews.
- Offers advice on how to approach different types of interview questions.
- Includes tips on how to handle behavioral questions.
Data Structures and Algorithms:
- Reviews fundamental data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, etc.).
- Explains common algorithms (sorting, searching, graph traversal, etc.).
- Provides practice problems and solutions for each topic.
System Design:
- Introduces system design concepts and principles.
- Offers guidance on how to approach system design questions.
- Includes examples of designing popular systems.
Coding Practice:
- Offers hundreds of coding interview questions with detailed solutions.
- Provides tips on how to write clean and efficient code.
- Encourages readers to practice coding regularly.

Reputation

Good: Widely considered a comprehensive and valuable resource for preparing for coding interviews. Praised for its clear explanations, practical examples, and extensive practice problems. Regularly updated to reflect current interview trends.
Bad: Some readers find the book overwhelming due to its length and the sheer number of questions. Solutions can sometimes be overly complex or not the most optimal. May not be suitable for complete beginners without prior programming knowledge.

Who Should Read It

Anyone preparing for software engineering interviews at tech companies.
Students and professionals seeking to improve their coding skills and problem-solving abilities.
Individuals looking for a structured approach to interview preparation.

Similar Books

"Programming Interviews Exposed" by John Mongan, Noah Suojanen, and Noah Kindler
"Elements of Programming Interviews in Python" by Adnan Aziz, Tsung-Hsien Lee, and Amit Prakash
"LeetCode" (online platform)