Tagged Questions

In mathematics and computer science, an algorithm is an effective method expressed as a finite list of well-defined instructions for calculating a function. Algorithms are used for calculation, data processing, and automated reasoning.

learn more… | top users | synonyms (1)

12
votes
8answers
2k views

Is there a canonical reference on algorithm design?

So every time I get an interview, I get simple problems. The problem is, I seem to make a mess of it by writing inefficient algorithms that either take too much space or time. I am really not able to ...
321
votes
8answers
82k views

Which hashing algorithm is best for uniqueness and speed?

I was just wondering which hashing algorithm is best for uniqueness and speed? Example (good) uses include hash dictionaries. I know there are things like sha256 and such, but these algorithms are ...
18
votes
6answers
2k views

Should I keep investing into data structures and algorithms?

These days, I'm investing heavily in data structures and algorithms and trying to solve some programming puzzles. I'm trying to code and solve with Java and Clojure. Am I wasting my time? should I ...
52
votes
30answers
13k views

What is your favorite whiteboard interview problem? [closed]

Just as the title says, what is your favorite whiteboard interview problem, and why has it proven effective for you? Junior, senior, Java, C, Javascript, PHP, SQL, pseudo-code, etc.
11
votes
4answers
2k views

Algorithm for Learning development

This is a fairly general question. I know a bit of Perl and Python and I am looking to learn programming in more depth so that once I get the hang of it I can start developing applications and then ...
29
votes
5answers
1k views

I'd like to write an “ultimate shuffle” algorithm to sort my mp3 collection

I'm looking for pseudocode suggestions for sorting my mp3 files in a way that avoids title and artist repetition. I listen to crooners - Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald etc. singing old ...
16
votes
9answers
4k views

Is it essential to learn algorithms to be a real programmer?

I'm a PHP programmer, and until now I have not needed to learn algorithms... Now I'm start learning Python (a real programming language), because I need to use matplotlib. Does it make sense to start ...
10
votes
7answers
2k views

How important is studying algorithms and theory is to becoming a great programmer? [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Should I keep investing into data structures and algorithms? I'm a CS student. I want to become a really great programmer, what do I need to do to be come a great ...
121
votes
14answers
6k views

Simple method for reliably detecting code in text?

GMail has this feature where it will warn you if you try to send an email that it thinks might have an attachment. Because GMail detected the string see the attached in the email, but no actual ...
124
votes
13answers
8k views

Is it just me or is this a baffling tech interview question?

Background I was just asked in a tech interview to write an algorithm to traverse an "object" (notice the quotes) where A is equal to B and B is equal to C and A is equal to C. That's it. That is ...
22
votes
12answers
5k views

Do I need to understand algorithms and data structures to be called a programmer? [closed]

It has been six years since I have been coding. Coding into all kinds of things like ActionScript, JavaScript, Java, PHP, Ajax, XML HTML, ASP, etc. I have used arrays, maps, linked lists, sets, etc ...
20
votes
9answers
6k views

Easy to understand and interesting book on algorithms [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Recommended book about algorithms, data structures and complexity? Please advise me a book on algorithms, that would be easier to read and understand than Cormen's ...
45
votes
16answers
3k views

Is big-O really that relevant when working in industry?

In every interview I have been in, I have been quizzed on mathematical analysis of complexity, including big-O notation. My question is, how relevant is this test to development in industry? How often ...
20
votes
6answers
10k views

Why is quicksort better than other sorting algorithms in practice?

This is a repost of a question on cs.SE by Janoma. Full credits and spoils to him or cs.SE. In a standard algorithms course we are taught that quicksort is O(n log n) on average and O(n²) in the ...
21
votes
6answers
6k views

Can an algorithm be patented?

So can an algorithm be patented? I saw this statement which made me think: Everybody would abstain from patenting the improvements of contour dot algorithm for at least several years, say ...

1 2 3 4 5
15 30 50 per page