Course

Introduction to Algorithms

In this course, you’ll learn how to analyze the time and space complexity of algorithms to optimize them for your use cases.

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Part of the Data Engineer (Python) path.

4.8 (359 reviews)

5,017 learners enrolled in this course.

Intermediate friendly
8 hours
Self paced
6 lessons
1 project

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Software Engineer @Livit Orthopedie

Introduction to Algorithms

Enroll For Free

Course overview

Algorithms are at the center of almost any programming job — particularly in the world of data engineering, where this is a recurring topic in job interviews. In this course, you’ll learn how to assess and model the time and space complexity of algorithms (i.e., how fast they’ll be, how much memory they’ll require), and you’ll learn how to trade memory for speed.

Best of all, you’ll learn by doing — you’ll practice and get feedback directly in the browser. At the end of the course, you’ll put together what you’ve learned in a guided project that tasks you with building indices for a CSV using dictionaries.

Key skills

Analyzing the time complexity of an algorithm
Analyzing the space complexity of an algorithm
Designing algorithms that are optimized to your use-case

Course outline

Introduction to Algorithms [6 lessons]

Time Complexity of Algorithms 2h

Lesson Objectives

Measure the execution time of an algorithm
Generate random inputs for an algorithm
Model the execution time of an algorithm

Constant Time Complexity 2h

Lesson Objectives

Identify constant time operations
Identify how computers manage memory
Refine computing time complexity models
Identify hidden function calls in Python.
Identify how lists and strings are stored in memory

Logarithmic Time Complexity 1h

Lesson Objectives

Explain logarithms and logarithmic complexity
Apply the binary search algorithm to find elements in sorted lists

Sorting Algorithms 1h

Lesson Objectives

Apply a sorting algorithm
Identify the time complexity of sorting in Python

Space Complexity 2h

Lesson Objectives

Evaluate the space complexity of an algorithm
Define the relation between time and space

Guided Project: Building Fast Queries on a CSV 2h

Lesson Objectives

Build indexes for a CSV using dictionaries

Projects in this course

Guided Project: Building Fast Queries on a CSV

Apply what you have learned to implement an inventory system for a laptop store with efficient queries.

View Project

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Go from zero to job-ready

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Build your project portfolio

Build confidence with our in-depth projects, and show off your data skills.

Challenge yourself with exercises

Work with real data from day one with interactive lessons and hands-on exercises.

Showcase your path certification

Impress employers by completing a capstone project and certifying it with an expert review.

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