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Is there a canonical reference on algorithm design?

I am an aspiring core Java Programmer and I'm planning to get a job after passing the OCPJP exam for which I have been preparing for the past few months. However, I'm not very comfortable with algorithms. If given a chance I'd stay away from algorithm designing as much as possible.

Is it possible to be a successful Java developer if I am not strong at algorithm design? Are there pre-built Java classes that implement the common algorithms that I would need for common applications? Are there any recommended books for learning algorithms that are light on the mathematics and provide graphical explinations?

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Never ever again write Algo instead of algorithm. And capitalize your I's. You are not texting your buddies, you are asking professional programmers for help... Please edit your question in a way that doesn't hurt my eyes. – Yannis Rizos♦ Jan 5 '12 at 12:53
@YannisRizos - Sorry.. i'm new.. Will keep that in mind – Iam APseudo-Intellectual Jan 5 '12 at 12:54
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It's ok, no need to apologize, edit the question and fix your spelling & grammar best way you can. And keep in mind that most of us here are not native English speakers and have a really hard time understanding posts like yours. Use clean and simple language. – Yannis Rizos♦ Jan 5 '12 at 12:54
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@YannisRizos- I meant " Sorry.. I am new.. Will keep that in mind – Iam APseudo-Intellectual Jan 5 '12 at 12:55
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I think you should really get more into algorithm design and theory if you want to be a good developer in any language. Bubble sort for example is certainly not a sorting algorithm you'd use because of its worst and average case performance. – ftr Jan 5 '12 at 13:03
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marked as duplicate by S.Lott, Yannis Rizos♦, Rob Z, ChrisF♦ Jan 5 '12 at 15:46

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Algorithms and Data structures are very important

But then it depends on what is your aim in life and what kind of developer you want to be. You can well do CRUD applications all your life without knowing anything much. It's fine.

You have to have some understanding of algorithms and their complexity. Even if java libraries has commonly implemented algorithms , how do you know when to use what ?

In a world where data is growing day by day, how to represent and manipulate data becomes very important.Algorithms will only become more important in the coming years.

One algorithm book that is not Math heavy is Algorithm Design by Skiena.

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Thanks for the answer – Iam APseudo-Intellectual Jan 5 '12 at 13:22

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