Understanding algorithms in an important skill for many computer science jobs. Algorithms help us solve problems efficiently.

We just published an introduction to algorithms with Python course on the freeCodeCamp.org YouTube channel.

In this course, you'll work with algorithm basics like recursion then go all the way to working with concepts like dynamic programming.

Joy Brock developed this course. Joy is an experienced teacher with an amazing talent for breaking down complex topics using humor and visualizations.

While the course is incredibly fun and fast-paced, it doesn't make any assumptions about your previous experience with algorithms. This course is ideal for new software developers, aspiring machine learning engineers, those looking for "pre-FAANG" prep, and students who've had difficulty understanding algorithms in the past.

Here are the sections covered in this course:

  • Intro & course overview
  • Factorials refresher
  • CODING CHALLENGE: Factorial program using iteration, recursion
  • What is a permutation?
  • CODING CHALLENGE: Recursive permutation
  • Iterative permutation example
  • 8/N queens problem: theory & explanation
  • Real world example of permutations
  • Lesson recap
  • What are data structures?
  • What is a one-dimensional array?
  • Search & sort
  • CODING CHALLENGE: Linear search
  • Binary search
  • CODING CHALLENGE: Iterative binary search
  • Coding a recursive binary search
  • Bubble sort
  • CODING CHALLENGE: Bubble sort
  • Insertion sort
  • CODING CHALLENGE: Insertion sort
  • Linked lists
  • CODING CHALLENGE: Linked list
  • Hash tables
  • Lesson recap
  • Divide & conquer algorithm paradigm: uses, benefits and more
  • Merge sort
  • CODING CHALLENGE: An efficient merge sort
  • Getting judged mercilessly on LeetCode
  • Getting Python to do the work for us with sorted()
  • Matrix multiplication
  • CODING CHALLENGE: Matrix multiplication
  • Strassen algorithm
  • CODING CHALLENGE: Strassen algorithm
  • Lesson recap
  • What is a greedy algorithm?
  • Assign mice to holes conceptual overview
  • CODING CHALLENGE: Assign mice to holes
  • Fractional knapsack
  • Understanding the fractional knapsack problem with a (light-hearted) dystopian apocalypse example
  • Coding challenge prep
  • CODING CHALLENGE: Fractional knapsack
  • Egyptians fractions
  • CODING CHALLENGE: Egyptian fractions
  • Lesson recap
  • What is dynamic programming (also called DP)?
  • What is the principle of optimality?
  • The 3-step process to solving a problem with optimal substructure
  • Introduction to “ugly numbers”
  • CODING CHALLENGE: Ugly numbers
  • Traveling salesman problem (TSP)
  • CODING CHALLENGE: Traveling salesman problem
  • Palindromic matrix paths
  • CODING CHALLENGE: Palindromic matrix paths
  • Lesson recap
  • Course wrap up (and the importance of coding every day)

Watch the full course below or on the freeCodeCamp.org YouTube channel (2-hour watch).