I'm planning my courses for the next semester and could use some advice. I have a background in C and Object-Oriented Programming (Java) from university. At my school, the Data Structures course includes both theory and practical labs in C++, while the Algorithms course tends to be more focused on theory. Should I take Data Structures first to build a solid foundation before moving on to Algorithms, or is it feasible to take both classes at the same time? I'd love to hear your experiences or suggestions!
3 Answers
I took Data Structures before diving into Algorithms, which is how most universities set it up. Understanding data structures is key to appreciating algorithms because it shows you how they work in practice. While you can take both at once, if you have the choice, I'd suggest not rushing. Also, remember that if you're prepping for coding interviews, it might be better to learn specific algorithms on your own as you go.
If the classes are separate, I'd recommend taking Data Structures first. It gives you a solid foundation for understanding algorithms better. That's what I would do if I had to choose again!
At my school, Data Structures and Algorithms were combined into a single class, and it wasn't hard to grasp both concepts together. If your courses are separate, you should still be fine taking both at once, but Data Structures first could help you.
That sounds like solid advice, thanks!