Introduction to Data Structures

& Algorithms
CodeWith Harry

Course Introduction

This course is designed for

placement preparation and will
mainly cover data structures and
algorithms using C and C++. Even if
you do not know C++, you will still be
able to follow along easily. The notes
will be made available as a PDF in
the description below.
Data Structures and Algorithms

Data structures are used to arrange

data in main memory for efficient
usage while algorithms are a
sequence of steps to solve a given
problem. In this course, we will cover
arrays, linked lists, and graphs as
examples of data structures and dive
into solving problems using different
algorithms.

Programming Languages

C and C++ will be the primary

languages used in this course but
Java can also be used to implement
the algorithms. I do not recommend
Python or JavaScript for beginners
but rather suggest learning C to get a
solid foundation in programming.
Conclusion

Learning data structures and

algorithms is a responsibility and I
will teach this course in a way that is
easy to understand for beginners.
Don't worry if you make mistakes or
have trouble at first, just follow along
step by step and everything will
become clear.
Data Structures & Algorithms for
Placements

This course is primarily for those

preparing for placements or job
interviews.

Time is limited when preparing for

placements, so this course is
structured to value your time. A 1 5-
hour video on C with notes is
available on the channel, which will
be covered first. If you're an
advanced Java user or can program
algorithms in Python, then it's
possible to do so. However, it's
recommended to learn C and C++
first.
Data structure is an arrangement of
data in main memory, which refers to
RAM (Random Access Memory) of 2,
4, 8, 16, or 32 GB. The sequence of
RAM usage is important when
loading a program like "chrome.exe"
for Windows. Fiddling with data
occurs in main memory, which must
be arranged optimally using data
structures to minimize RAM usage.

The theory of databases is not

covered in this course, but you
should know their basic concepts.
When opening a new tab, a large
amount of data is stored in a
database that must be retrieved and
updated regularly. Data warehouses
store data permanently for faster
retrieval and updation for analysis
purposes. Legacy data needs to be
stored separately from the main
system.
Sorting Algorithms

The example used here is sorting

arrays in ascending or descending
order. An algorithm is a series of
steps to create a process. When
sorting an array, steps must be taken
to sort in ascending or descending
order. The steps taken to sort an
algorithm into an array define the
algorithm.
Data Warehousing and Big Data

Data is the fuel of big algorithms

these days, so it's essential not to
lose the data. To prevent data loss,
the data is separated from the main
system and stored in what is known
as legacy data. Data warehousing, on
the other hand, deals with how to
store legacy data efficiently in
different types of algorithms,
analysis, and distributed systems
that can handle huge databases that
regular applications or algorithms
cannot. Big data is a separate field
that requires a different set of
algorithms and analysis.
It's essential to understand data
warehousing and big data, though
they are beyond the scope of this
course. Do not use these terms, but
understand their significance. The
best way to learn data structures and
algorithms is to study C
programming, specifically stacks and
heaps. In the context of C
programming, understand that the
memory layout of a C program is
divided into segments, such as the
stack, heap, and segments for static
and global variables.
Memory Layout of a C Program

The stack frame or activation record

of the main function is always
created first, and subsequent
activation records of other functions
such as fun1 and fun2 are created
when called. Variables are created in
their respective activation records.
To better understand memory usage,
think of it as "looking back at your
memory" and "reading your memory
back from the page" to see what you
need to access. Understanding
memory usage helps you to be able
to optimize your algorithms and take
full advantage of available
resources.
Understanding Heap Memory

When writing code, variables are

stored in memory in a space called
the stack. As functions are called,
these variables are added to the
stack and are removed once the
functions have completed execution.
However, in addition to the stack,
there is also a space called the heap,
which can be used to allocate
memory dynamically through the use
of pointers.
Pointer Basics

A pointer is a variable that stores the

address of a memory location. In C,
you can use the malloc function to
request dynamic memory in the
heap, while in C++, you can use the
new operator. You use pointers to

request the memory and to access it

Iater.

Heap Memory

The heap is a large pool of memory

in your computer's RAM that can be
allocated using a pointer. By
requesting memory from the heap,
you can store more complex data
structures than you would be able to
in the stack.
Time and Space Complexity

Efficient use of memory is an

important part of writing algorithms
and data structures. Using the heap
is one way to optimize your code and
use memory more efficiently. Time
and space complexity are both
important considerations when
designing algorithms.

This is how the C program is run

inside our memory. In the coming
videos, we will focus on data
structures and algorithms.

It is a prerequisite to know a little bit

about it. I will use these terms, and
understanding of this is necessary
when we will see linked list, array,
and binary search tree.
I recommend learning C and C++ to
prepare data structures and
algorithms for any product-based
company.

I have made a 15-hour long video of

C with notes the way I have given
this video with notes. I hope you like
this video. If you don't know C
properly, then I have a 15-hour long
video. You must definitely learn this.

When you go for an interview, then

the person in front of you will expect
C, C++, or Java from you. You must
know one of these three languages.
You will be taken lightly over there. If
you are only a Python and JavaScript
programmer, then you will be at a
disadvantage. You will still be down
in front of a person who knows C,
and I have written all these things in
notes so you won't have any
problem.
I am telling this from experience.
This is also a mindset, and you
should do C and not to use Python
and to be a programmer who knows
it. I have also given their reasons in
many more videos. I have said that
you have to be careful about it. You
have to use it. I'm not to be afraid of
it.

If you want to use C and to

understand it, it's not to ignore it. In
many of the most important to
understand. You need to use the
language. You need to understand
what you need it. There is no need to
be an expert. You should be aware of
the problem.