How do I start coding on LeetCode for beginners?

Starting coding on LeetCode as a beginner can be an exciting yet challenging journey. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Create a LeetCode Account

• Go to LeetCode and create a free account. Once registered, you can access a large number of coding problems and track your progress.

2. Familiarize Yourself with LeetCode's Interface

• Explore the Problem List: LeetCode offers a variety of problems across different difficulty levels (Easy, Medium, Hard). Start with Easy problems to build confidence.
• Check out the Explore section: LeetCode's Explore section provides guided learning paths for different topics like Arrays, Strings, Dynamic Programming, and more.

3. Start with Easy Problems

Begin by solving simple problems that focus on basic data structures like arrays and strings. These are easier to understand and provide a good foundation for more complex topics.

• Examples of beginner problems:
  • "Two Sum"
  • "Reverse a String"
  • "Merge Two Sorted Lists"

4. Learn Data Structures and Algorithms

A solid understanding of data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, etc.) and algorithms (sorting, searching, etc.) is essential for solving coding problems. As you practice, take time to understand the concepts behind the problems.

Resources:

• Books: Cracking the Coding Interview by Gayle Laakmann McDowell is a great resource for learning coding interview problems.
• Online Courses: Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or freeCodeCamp offer excellent tutorials on data structures and algorithms.

5. Solve a Problem a Day

Commit to solving at least one problem a day. Start with easy ones, and as you grow comfortable, move on to medium-level problems. This consistency will help you gradually improve.

6. Analyze Solutions

After solving a problem (or even if you can't solve it), always:

• Check the Solution: Review the best solution or multiple solutions from other users.
• Learn from Mistakes: Analyze why your solution didn't work and how you can improve.
• Time and Space Complexity: Understand the performance of your code (Big O notation) to ensure it's efficient.

7. Use Discussion Forums

LeetCode has an active Discussion Forum where you can find hints, explanations, and different approaches for solving problems. Engaging with the community can help you better understand difficult concepts.

8. Track Your Progress

Keep a log of the problems you've solved, especially the ones you struggled with. You can revisit these problems after a few weeks to reinforce your learning.

9. Move to Medium Problems

Once you have solved about 50–100 easy problems, start attempting medium-level problems. These often require combining different data structures and algorithms, but with enough practice, you'll be able to tackle them confidently.

Conclusion

Start coding on LeetCode by solving easy problems, focusing on core concepts like arrays, strings, and basic algorithms. Gradually progress to more challenging problems as you build your skills. Utilize LeetCode's forums, explore the provided solutions, and maintain a steady daily practice to maximize your learning experience.