Top 10 Basic Algorithms to Know for Job Interviews
As a job candidate in the tech industry, it’s crucial to have a strong understanding of fundamental algorithms. In this blog, we’ll cover the top 10 basic algorithms that you need to know before your job interview. We’ll discuss each algorithm’s purpose, explain how it works, and provide examples of its practical use.
Bubble Sort
Bubble sort is a simple sorting algorithm that repeatedly steps through a list, compares adjacent elements, and swaps them if they are in the wrong order.
Binary Search
Binary search is a fast search algorithm that works by dividing a sorted list in half and determining which half of the list contains the target element.
Merge Sort
Merge sort is a sorting algorithm that divides an array into two halves, sorts each half separately, and then merges them back together.
Quick Sort
Quick sort is a sorting algorithm that uses a pivot element to partition an array into two parts, then sorts each part recursively.
Depth-First Search
Depth-first search is a traversal algorithm that explores as far as possible along each branch before backtracking.
Breadth-First Search
Breadth-first search is a traversal algorithm that explores all the vertices of a graph in breadth-first order, visiting all neighbors of a vertex before visiting any of their neighbors.
Dijkstra’s Algorithm
Dijkstra’s algorithm is a shortest-path algorithm that finds the shortest path between two vertices in a graph.
Prim’s Algorithm
Prim’s algorithm is a minimum spanning tree algorithm that finds the minimum weight tree for a connected undirected graph.
Knapsack Problem
The knapsack problem is a combinatorial optimization problem that asks, “Given a set of items, each with a weight and a value, what is the maximum value that can be obtained by selecting a subset of the items that fits within a certain weight constraint?”
Traveling Salesman Problem
The traveling salesman problem is an optimization problem that asks, “Given a list of cities and the distances between each pair of cities, what is the shortest possible route that visits each city exactly once and returns to the origin city?”
By understanding these 10 basic algorithms, you’ll be well-prepared for any job interview in the tech industry. Remember to practice implementing these algorithms on your own and applying them to real-world problems to truly solidify your understanding. Good luck!