Non youtube courses and paid textbooks to learn algorithms?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for books and courses on algorithms, specifically excluding YouTube and focusing on traditional teaching methods. Participants explore various resources suitable for self-study, with an emphasis on readability and effective illustrations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses dissatisfaction with YouTube as a learning platform, citing issues with advertisements and the quality of instruction, and requests recommendations for books and courses that are well-illustrated and effectively presented.
  • Another participant comments on the numerous conditions set by the original poster, suggesting that finding suitable resources may be challenging.
  • A suggestion is made to consider the Schaum's Outline series for self-study, noted for its affordability and inclusion of worked examples and exercises.
  • One participant mentions "The Art of Computer Programming" by Knuth as a highly regarded resource for learning algorithms, suggesting it is widely considered a foundational text.
  • Another participant points out two O'Reilly books on algorithms, providing links to their online availability.
  • A participant raises a concern that "300 algorithms in 300 pages" may not align with the original poster's needs, indicating a preference for more challenging material.
  • Another resource mentioned is rosettacode.org, which offers algorithm implementations in various programming languages for study purposes.
  • One participant notes the broad scope of the topic "algorithms," mentioning various domains such as sorting, machine learning, and database theory, suggesting that no single book may cover all areas comprehensively.
  • A participant acknowledges the original poster's critique of social media and non-expert instruction, sharing a cartoon related to the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the effectiveness of various learning resources, with no consensus on a single recommended book or course. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to learning algorithms given the original poster's specific criteria.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the difficulty in finding resources that match the original poster's desired level of complexity and presentation style. There is an acknowledgment of the diverse nature of algorithm topics, which may complicate the search for suitable materials.

oslon
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I am not going to watch youtube anymore because of advertisements and it was never worth it anyways to pay for. I'm not going to pay for either a college fail student trying to earn some sidecash in India or some genuis professor who simply doesn't care if the students learn from him. Youtube is the worst place to learn something. People feel like they learnt something when they watch youtube lecs and that's the biggest delusion.
So, recommend me some books and courses to learn algorithms.
I can pay good sum(w.r.to my earnings) if the course is taught in real whiteboard/blackboard/greenboard and taught in traditional way. I can also pay good sum if the book has lots of diagram (not unnecessary manga type books or something like grokking books, but succint diagrams).
I don't need to learn to implement the data structures/algorithms in any programming language, simply because I am not a web developer/software developer or anything to do with development. I just need to pass my competitive exams which are very tough. If I know programming that's bonus though. And I don't mind learning programming as well if it's well presented/documented.
I searched udemy and found no good courses.
Colt Steele knows nothing to teach
Abdul bari is bs.
Other indians are teaching nonsense in udemy.
Blogs are very surface level. Since this is not my first time studying algorithms, I don't want to go surface level.
https://www.javatpoint.com/data-structure-tutorial
Just take a look at this stupid blog.
CLRS is too tough though, and I don't need proofs at all. I just need to learn the flow of algorithms(how to apply them type).
As science says, when you find something too easy, you learn nothing; when you find something too hard, you learn nothing. So, there should be appropriate level of difficulty compared to learner.
Hope I'm not misinterpreted because of saying "i don't want too easy, neither too hard". Easy to get misinterpreted in internet, which is the home of many trolls.

I've skillshare subscription, oreilly subscription as well. I've seen sidewick's algorithms course on oreilly and it looks great indeed. I'm looking for extra options as well, why not? Specially books and courses.
I just skimmed through sidewick, skiena, grokking, narasimha, CLRS and none of the books are my type.
I like books like Deitel Operating System which have lots of illustrations (SUCCINT ILLUSTRATIONS, not nonsense HEAD FIRST books drawing).

Please recommend something crazily well written and very readable? Or something that's very well taught?
 
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You've put an awful lot of conditions on. Good luck.
 
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I have always liked the Schaum's Outline series for self-study. They are reasonably inexpensive and include a lot of worked examples and exercises. (I have never used one for a computer language, but I hope that they would be similar.)
 
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I don't have one, but the book's "300 algorithms in 300 pages" does not sound like it matches what the OP is looking for.
 
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I recommend

The Art of Computer Programming​

(Fundamental Algorithms), 3rd Edition, Vol. 1 by Knuth​

It's generally considered the bible of learning algorithms. You should be able to find a used copy online for about $25.
 
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Vanadium 50 said:
I don't have one, but the book's "300 algorithms in 300 pages" does not sound like it matches what the OP is looking for.
you're correct. I'm in weird situation. I'll rather go with a difficult to follow book than an easy one as I don't see a way to get a proper simplicity level of book..
 
Another resource is rosettacode.org where various algorithms are rendered a multitude of programming languages.

You can learn by dissecting the solution for a given algorithm.
 
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"Algorithms" might be too big a topic these days. Sorting? Bucket hashing? Machine learning? Database theory? Large language models? These are very, very different kinds of domains of knowledge, and I doubt one will find it all in any one book. Back in 1962, Donald Knuth wrote his algorithms "monograph" in seven volumes, long before the advent of AI.

I congratulate the question poster on recognizing the frequent misuse of social media, such as YouTube, by non-experts claiming to know more than they actually do. Please enjoy a cartoon about the now widespread phenomenon of not respecting technical expertise:

https://condenaststore.com/featured/these-smug-pilots-have-lost-touch-with-regular-will-mcphail.html
 
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