How do you guys get good at DP?
Mastering Dynamic Programming: Tips and Techniques
Dynamic Programming (DP) is one of those concepts that can make or break your coding journey, especially when you’re preparing for technical interviews. If you’ve ever found yourself staring blankly at a DP problem, wondering how to approach it, you’re not alone. Many coders struggle with this topic — me included! That’s why I decided to share my journey and the insights I’ve gained along the way to help others who are in the same boat.
The Initial Struggle
When I first began tackling DP problems, I felt overwhelmed. I attempted to solve various easy to medium problems on platforms like LeetCode, but I often found myself stuck, particularly when it came to formulating the state transition functions. I wondered if I was missing some crucial techniques or if I simply needed to grind through all the DP problems on LeetCode to improve.
After posting my frustrations online, I was amazed by the community’s response. The suggestions and encouragement I received helped steer my learning in a more fruitful direction.
A Year of Growth
Fast forward to January 2023, nearly a year since I first reached out for help. I’m excited to share that I landed a job in early May 2022, just three months after my initial post. While I eventually tapered off my intense LeetCode practice, I continued to hone my skills on a more casual basis.
What Worked for Me
Through the helpful suggestions from the community, I found several strategies that significantly improved my understanding of DP:
-
Watching DP Tutorials: I came across an incredibly informative video on YouTube by Coderbyte, where Alvin explained common DP problems through live coding and animated illustrations. This visual method of learning made a huge difference in my understanding.
-
Utilizing Problem Lists: I discovered a curated list of beginner-friendly DP problems on LeetCode, thanks to a user named Lost_Extrovert. This list became my roadmap — I tackled each problem one by one, building my confidence as I progressed. While I didn’t finish the entire list before receiving my job offer, the practice was invaluable.
-
Exploring Additional Resources: I also found other helpful lists, such as:
- Grokking Dynamic Programming by branden947.
- Dynamic Programming Patterns by Revolutionary_Soup15.
-
Practice, Practice, Practice: As many experienced coders have said, the key to mastering DP is consistent practice. The more problems you tackle, the more patterns and tricks you start to recognize, which can be critical during interviews.
-
Understanding Recursion: One valuable tip I received was to first come up with a recursive solution to a problem. By analyzing the parameters passed to the recursive function and identifying which ones change between calls, I could determine the coordinates in my DP array or matrix. This understanding helped me formulate the DP build-up equation:
currentRes = f(subRes), which is crucial for defining the state transitions in DP. -
Identifying Base Cases: Lastly, recognizing the exit case of the recursive function is vital. This base case serves as the foundation upon which the entire DP solution is built.
Community Insights
Here are some thoughts from fellow developers that resonated with me:
-
“Everything takes time." The journey to mastering DP is not instantaneous. It requires patience and persistence. As you tackle more problems, you’ll start memorizing different tricks and patterns that can be applied in various contexts.
-
“Practice." This cannot be emphasized enough. Whether you’re practicing on LeetCode or other competitive programming platforms, the key is to stay consistent.
Conclusion
Dynamic Programming can indeed be challenging, but with the right resources and a structured approach, it becomes manageable. Reflecting on my journey, I now realize that the combination of community support, targeted practice, and a deeper understanding of the underlying principles of recursion and state transitions helped me overcome my initial struggles.
As we step into 2023, I hope my experiences can inspire and guide you in your DP journey. Remember, whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, the path to mastery is paved with patience, practice, and a willingness to learn from others. Good luck, and happy coding!