Michael

“The intuitive learning process on Dataquest was refreshing. I never became frustrated with technical problems, or had to waste time watching a video before getting on with coding. If I hit a wall, the community was there to help.”

Michael Knight-Roberts

Data Engineering Team Lead @Mango Solutions

Course overview

In this course, you’ll learn the fundamentals of data structures. You’ll explore linked lists and how using linked nodes is helpful in creating data structures. Then you’ll learn about queues, the FIFO data structure (first in, first out) , and the FCPS process scheduling algorithm (first come, first serve). From there, you’ll dig into stacks, LIFO (last in, first out), and LCFS process scheduling (last come, first serve) — and then dictionaries and parallel processing. By the end, you’ll understand the performance difference between data structures such as hash tables, stacks, queues, and more.

Best of all, you’ll learn by doing — you’ll practice and get feedback directly in the browser. You’ll apply this knowledge by completing two real-world data projects:

  • In the first one, you’ll use stacks when implementing complex algorithms
  • In the second one, you’ll analyze stock prices using hash tables and by implementing various algorithms

Key skills

  • Implementing linked lists, queues, stacks and dictionaries
  • Employing inheritance
  • Applying data structures to solve problems

Course outline

Introduction to Data Structures [6 lessons]

Linked Lists 2h

Lesson Objectives
  • Employ linked nodes to create data structures
  • Implement linked lists
  • Identify the differences between array-based and link-based implementations

Queues 1h

Lesson Objectives
  • Define a queue data structure
  • Define a FIFO data structure
  • Identify how the FCFS process scheduling algorithm works

Stacks 1h

Lesson Objectives
  • Define a stack data structure
  • Define a LIFO data structure
  • Identify how the LCFS process scheduling algorithm works

Dictionaries 2h

Lesson Objectives
  • Determine which library to use when parallel computing
  • Employ process pools
  • Debug parallel processing code

Guided Project: Analyzing Stock Prices 1h

Lesson Objectives
  • Compute aggregates using hash tables
  • Implement search algorithms

Guided Project: Evaluating Numerical Expressions 1h

Lesson Objectives
  • Implement complex algorithms using stacks
  • Identify how a computer evaluates numerical expressions

Projects in this course

Guided Project: Analyzing Stock Prices

Use the correct data structures to analyze stock prices efficiently

Guided Project: Evaluating Numerical Expressions

Use stacks to evaluate numerical expressions.

The Dataquest guarantee

Guarantee

Dataquest has helped thousands of people start new careers in data. If you put in the work and follow our path, you’ll master data skills and grow your career.

Money

We believe so strongly in our paths that we offer a full satisfaction guarantee. If you complete a career path on Dataquest and aren’t satisfied with your outcome, we’ll give you a refund.

Master skills faster with Dataquest

Go from zero to job-ready

Go from zero to job-ready

Learn exactly what you need to achieve your goal. Don’t waste time on unrelated lessons.

Build your project portfolio

Build your project portfolio

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

Challenge yourself with exercises

Challenge yourself with exercises

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

Showcase your path certification

Showcase your path certification

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

Grow your career with
Dataquest.

97%
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Dataquest for career advancement
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$30k
Average salary boost
for learners who complete a path
Aaron

Aaron Melton

Business Analyst at Aditi Consulting

“Dataquest starts at the most basic level, so a beginner can understand the concepts. I tried learning to code before, using Codecademy and Coursera. I struggled because I had no background in coding, and I was spending a lot of time Googling. Dataquest helped me actually learn.”

Jessi

Jessica Ko

Machine Learning Engineer at Twitter

“I liked the interactive environment on Dataquest. The material was clear and well organized. I spent more time practicing then watching videos and it made me want to keep learning.”

Victoria

Victoria E. Guzik

Associate Data Scientist at Callisto Media

“I really love learning on Dataquest. I looked into a couple of other options and I found that they were much too handhold-y and fill in the blank relative to Dataquest’s method. The projects on Dataquest were key to getting my job. I doubled my income!”

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