Coding Interview University: Your Comprehensive Plan to Become a Software Engineer

Summary

The "Coding Interview University" repository is a highly popular GitHub resource offering a complete computer science study plan designed to help aspiring software engineers. It covers essential topics from data structures and algorithms to system design, preparing users for technical interviews at top tech companies. This extensive guide, created by a former Amazon SDE, provides a structured path to mastering the fundamentals required for a successful career in software engineering.

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Introduction

The jwasham/coding-interview-university repository is an incredibly comprehensive and highly-starred resource on GitHub, designed as a complete computer science study plan for aspiring software engineers. With over 356,000 stars and 84,000 forks, it has become a go-to guide for individuals aiming to land roles at major tech companies like Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft. The plan was originally created by the author, jwasham, as a personal study guide that ultimately led to a Software Development Engineer position at Amazon.

Installation

To get started with "Coding Interview University," you have a couple of options:

Download as ZIP: If you prefer not to use Git, simply navigate to the repository's GitHub page, click the "Code" button, and then "Download ZIP". Unzip the file to access all the study materials.
Using Git: For those comfortable with Git, you can fork the repository to your GitHub account and then clone it locally. This allows you to track your progress by marking items in the markdown files.

git clone https://github.com/<YOUR_GITHUB_USERNAME>/coding-interview-university.git
cd coding-interview-university
git remote add upstream https://github.com/jwasham/coding-interview-university.git
git remote set-url --push upstream DISABLE

Remember to commit your progress and pull updates from the original repository regularly.

Examples

The repository provides a meticulously structured study plan covering a vast array of computer science topics essential for technical interviews. It guides users through fundamental concepts and advanced areas, including:

Core Computer Science: Algorithmic complexity (Big-O), Data Structures (Arrays, Linked Lists, Stacks, Queues, Hash Tables), and Trees (Binary Search Trees, Heaps).
Algorithms: Detailed sections on various Sorting algorithms (Mergesort, Quicksort), Graph algorithms (BFS, DFS, Dijkstra, MST), Recursion, and Dynamic Programming.
System Design & Advanced Knowledge: Topics like Design Patterns, Processes and Threads, Caches, Networking, and an optional section on advanced concepts for experienced engineers.
Interview Preparation: Practical advice on resume building, job searching strategies, and general interview etiquette, including mock interview resources.

Each section is enriched with links to educational videos, online courses, and recommended books, providing a multi-faceted learning experience.

Why use it

"Coding Interview University" is an invaluable resource for anyone serious about a software engineering career, especially those targeting large tech companies. It offers a structured curriculum that can help individuals without a formal computer science degree catch up on essential knowledge, potentially saving years of self-directed, unguided study. The author's personal journey, having used this very plan to secure a position at Amazon, serves as a powerful testament to its effectiveness. It emphasizes practical application, encouraging users to solve coding problems while learning, rather than just passively consuming information.