- Learn data structures and algorithms by taking relevant classes at your school, reading textbooks, reading online material, and watching video lectures. Make sure you understand all of the following algorithms and concepts:
- Breadth First Search
- Depth First Search
- Binary Search
- Merge Sort
- Quick Sort
- Tree Operations
- Bit Manipulation
- Recursion
- Big-O Performance
- Implement data structures and algorithms. See:
- If you lack a basic understanding of data structures and algorithms, start with a class or textbook. I'm using Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis in Java (3rd Edition): Mark A. Weiss.
- Get an interview preparation book like Cracking the Coding Interview by Gayle Laakmann McDowell that includes programming practice problems. Solve problems from the book.
- Search online for real interview questions from the companies you are interviewing with. Solve problems. Some popular websites:
- There are also some good MOOCs (Massive Open Online Course) on algorithms. I've seen a few over on Coursera that might be good as a supplement to an algorithms class (or a replacement, if you can't take one at your school).
- Algorithms: Design and Analysis, Part 1 (Stanford)
- Algorithms: Design and Analysis, Part 2 (Stanford)
- Algorithms, Part I (Princeton)
- Analysis of Algorithms (Princeton)
- When solving problems, emulate the interview environment. If you'll be coding on a whiteboard during your interview, don't only solve practice problems on your computer.
Follow these 10 steps and eventually you may be in good position to apply to these companies
- Stick to one programming language, make sure you can code with absolute ease in this language. I am sure Google and FB dont have affinity to one specific language.Code them on Linux or Mac preferably. They are Unix variants
- Get yourself a good book on Algorithms and data structures
- Complete the book so that you get the hang of all basic algorithms and data structures. (Book,Data Structures Using C)
- Learn other computer basics like OS concepts, bit programming, networking and about data bases(Preferably The world's most popular open source database (MySql) should be enough)
- Understand that you have just completed the course and you are still not expert in Algorithms!
- Now you need to sharpen your coding and algo skills, which should be taken in parallel.
- Fork some small and famous Build software better, together (Git) projects and try understanding the code and if possible try contributing to it. This will ensure that you code the right way!
- Participate in topcoder or codechef or codesprint. These sites have practice problems which will sharpen your algorithms skill.
- I find Programming Interviews has some awesome explanations to very nice problems from a IITian if you can follow Indian English accent.
- Please glance back what ever you learn in these days and make sure you dont forget what you learn
Guide for Technical Development
Having a solid foundation in Computer Science is important to become a successful Software Engineer. This guide is a suggested path for university students to develop their technical skills academically and non-academically through self paced hands-on learning. You may use this guide to determine courses to take, but please make sure you are taking courses required for your major in order to graduate. The online resources provided in this guide are not meant to replace courses available at your university. However, they may help supplement your learning or provide an introduction to a topic.
Using this guide:
- Please use this guide at your discretion
- There may be other things you want to learn or do outside of this guide - go for it!
- Checking off all items in this guide does not guarantee a job at Google
- This guide will evolve or change - check back for updates
Recommendations for Academic Learning
- Introduction to CS Course
Take Introduction to Computer Science courses that provide basic instructions on coding.
Online resources: Udacity - intro to CS course, Coursera - Computer Science 101
- Code in at least one object oriented programming language: C++, Java, or Python
Beginner Online Resources: Coursera - Learn to Program: The Fundamentals, MIT Intro to Programming in Java, Google's Python Class, Coursera - Introduction to Python, Python Open Source E-Book
Intermediate Online Resources: Udacity's Design of Computer Programs, Coursera - Learn to Program: Crafting Quality Code, Coursera - Programming Languages, Brown University - Introduction to Programming Languages
- Learn other Programming Languages
Notes: Add to your repertoire - JavaScript, CSS & HTML; Ruby; PHP; C; Perl; shell script; Lisp and Scheme.
Online Resources: w3school.com - HTML Tutorial, Codecademy, Udacity - Mobile Web Development, Udacity - HTML5 Game Development
- Test Your Code
Notes: Learn how to catch bugs, create tests, and break your software
Online Resources: Udacity - Software Testing Methods, Udacity - Software Debugging
- Develop logical reasoning and knowledge of discrete math
Online Resources: MIT Mathematics for Computer Science, Coursera - Introduction to Logic, Coursera - Linear and Discrete Optimization, Coursera - Probabilistic Graphical Models, Coursera - Game Theory
- Develop strong understanding of Algorithms and Data Structures
Notes: Learn about fundamental data types (stack, queues, and bags), sorting algorithms (quicksort, mergesort, heapsort), data structures (binary search trees, red-black trees, hash tables), and Big O.
Online Resources: MIT Introduction to Algorithms, Coursera Introduction to Algorithms Part 1 & Part 2, List of Algorithms, List of Data Structures, Book:The Algorithm Design Manual
- Develop a strong knowledge of operating systems
Online Resources: UC Berkeley Computer Science 162
- Learn UX Design
Online Resources: Udacity - UX Design for Mobile Developers
- Learn Artificial Intelligence
Online Resources: Stanford University - Introduction to Robotics, Natural Language Processing, Machine Learning
- Learn how to build compilers
Online Resources: Coursera - Compilers
- Learn cryptography
Online Resources: Coursera - Cryptography, Udacity - Applied Cryptography
- Learn Parallel Programming
Online Resources: Coursera - Heterogeneous Parallel Programming
- Work on project outside of the classroom.
Notes: Create and maintain a website, build your own server, or build a robot.
Online Resources: Apache List of Projects, Google Summer of Code, Google Developer Group
- Work on a small piece of a large system (codebase), read and understand existing code, track down documentation, and debug things.
Notes: GitHub is a great way to read other people’s code or contribute to a project.
Online Resources: GitHub, Kiln
- Work on project with other programmers.
Notes: This will help you improve your ability to work well in a team and enable you to learn from others.
- Practice your algorithmic knowledge and coding skills
Notes: Practice your algorithmic knowledge through coding competitions like CodeJam or ACM’s International Collegiate Programming Contest.
Online Resources: CodeJam, ACM ICPC
- Become a Teaching Assistant
Helping to teach other students will help enhance your knowledge in the subject matter.
- Internship experience in software engineering
Notes: Make sure you apply for internships well in advance of the period internships take place. In the US, internships take place during the summer, May-September. Applications are usually accepted several months in advance.
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