Which DSA Course is Best for Preparing for Tech Interviews?

Honestly, I don't think these paid courses are worth it. DSA is pretty fundamental knowledge that you can learn for free through resources like textbooks and even Wikipedia. You might try implementing the algorithms yourself without relying on AI or shortcuts. MIT offers amazing free materials online; dive into those when you hit roadblocks. You can become much stronger at DSA without these expensive courses!

I agree with the idea that books often trump video or paid content. Remember that understanding how to approach and translate coding problems is a huge part of the battle. Maybe take note of which types of problems on LeetCode you're struggling with the most and focus your studies there. Breaking complex problems down can really help!

The tech industry has shifted. It used to be easy to fake it for a developer role with a bootcamp and some LeetCode solving. Now, you really need to be solid on your fundamentals. Invest in a couple of good DSA books, truly understand them, and practice coding regularly. It doesn't have to come from a pricey course!

Have you considered checking out NeedCode? I’ve heard good things about it and they provide a structured roadmap that can really help. But I still think having a foundational book, like "Algorithms and Data Structures in C++" by M. Allen and D. Weiss, could complement your learning nicely, even if it’s in C++. Consistent practice with theory and coding is key!

Since you're focusing on the basics of DSA, I’d suggest starting with a solid textbook. For instance, if you're coding in Python, "Data Structures and Algorithms in Python" by Michael Goodrich is a great choice. It’s used in many computer science undergrad courses. Make sure to do all the exercises in the book to really grasp the concepts. And if you’re stuck, you can easily look up solutions online to help you out. Good luck with your preparation!