Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA) Learning Path (2 Months)

Month 1: Foundations & Core Data Structures

Week 1: Introduction & Basics

• What are Data Structures and Algorithms?
• Time and space complexity (Big O notation)
• Arrays and Strings basics
• Basic sorting algorithms: Bubble, Selection, Insertion
• Practice simple coding problems

Week 2: Linear Data Structures

• Linked lists (singly, doubly, circular)
• Stacks and Queues (including priority queue)
• Practice problems on stack and queue operations
• Recursion basics and applications

Week 3: Trees & Graphs Fundamentals

• Introduction to trees: terminology and traversal (preorder, inorder, postorder)
• Binary Trees and Binary Search Trees (BST)
• Graph representations: adjacency list/matrix
• Graph traversal: BFS and DFS basics
• Practice tree and graph problems

Week 4: Searching & Sorting Advanced

• Advanced sorting: Merge Sort, Quick Sort
• Binary search and variations
• Hashing concepts and hash tables
• Sliding window and two-pointer techniques
• Practice medium-level algorithm problems

Month 2: Advanced Algorithms & Problem Solving

Week 5: Dynamic Programming & Greedy Algorithms

• Introduction to dynamic programming concepts
• Top-down and bottom-up approaches
• Common DP problems (Knapsack, Fibonacci, Coin Change)
• Greedy algorithm basics and problems

Week 6: Graph Algorithms & Advanced Trees

• Shortest path algorithms (Dijkstra, Bellman-Ford)
• Minimum spanning tree (Kruskal, Prim)
• Trie data structure
• Segment trees and Fenwick trees (BIT) fundamentals

Week 7: Backtracking & Miscellaneous Concepts

• Backtracking fundamentals and common problems (N-Queens, Sudoku)
• Bit manipulation basics
• Math and number theory concepts for algorithms (GCD, LCM, Prime numbers)
• String algorithms (KMP, Rabin-Karp basics)

Week 8: Interview Preparation & Projects

• Practice coding interview questions (LeetCode, HackerRank, Codeforces)
• Mock interviews and timed problem solving
• Complexity analysis and code optimization
• Build a DSA project (e.g., mini search engine, scheduling simulator)
• Final review and strengthening weak areas