Mastering Algorithms and Data Structures - References for beginners

Aiming to deepen your understanding of algorithmic principles is a crucial step for any aspiring programmer or computer science enthusiast. Here is a curated list of valuable resources that can significantly aid your learning process.

1. Algorithm / Data Structure Theory Books:

• Introduction to Algorithms by Thomas H. Cormen, Charles E. Leiserson, Ronald L. Rivest, and Clifford Stein. (Considered as the Bible)
• Algorithms by Robert Sedgewick and Kevin Wayne.
• Data Structures and Algorithms in Python by Michael T. Goodrich, Roberto Tamassia, and Michael H. Goldwasser. (I am a beginner in Python. So there may be other options as well)

2. Online Courses:

• Google's Tech Dev Guide: Google provides a comprehensive guide covering algorithmic and data structure concepts.
• Coursera - Algorithms, Part 1 and Part 2: Offered by Princeton University, these courses delve deep into algorithmic design and analysis.
• Udacity - Intro to Algorithms: Udacity's course provides hands-on experience with practical applications.
• MIT OpenCourseWare - Introduction to Algorithms: MIT's renowned course is available for free online.

3. Algorithm Refreshers:

• Big-O Cheatsheet: A quick reference for understanding time and space complexities of common algorithms.
• More algo refresh materials

4. Style Guides:

• Check out Google's Style Guides: Follow language-specific style guides to write clean and efficient code.

5. Problem-Solving Platforms:

• HackerRank, Codeforces, LeetCode, InterviewBit, and Kattis: These platforms offer a plethora of algorithmic problems to sharpen your skills.
• Topcoder, Project Euler, and CareerCup: Additional platforms to challenge your problem-solving abilities

6. Book Recommendations:

• Cracking the Coding Interview: Authored by Gayle Laakmann McDowell, this book provides a collection of problems commonly asked in technical interviews.

7. ACM-ICPC and CodeJam Questions:

• Explore a list of ACM-ICPC questions and CodeJam questions available online for practice. (Keep in mind tht they are quite challenging and often require a deep understanding of algorithms, data structures, and problem-solving skills. So don't worry even if you can't solve it. Also CodeJam site is shutdown by Google but questions are available across the web)

Use these resources as building blocks to strengthen your foundation, and don't shy away from challenging problems. Remember mastering algorithms and data structures lies in consistent practice and application. Happy coding!