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Raunak Jain

Welcome to this course. Here, you will go through a "journey" of the Top 50 Dynamic Programming Java Algorithm questions that are asked in coding interviews as well as competitive programming. So let's start by answering the most fundamental questions:What is Dynamic Programming Algorithm?Dynamic programming is a powerful optimization technique for plain recursion problems. If you can break down a problem into simpler sub-problems (optimal substructure) and these sub-problems are repetitive in nature, then you can convert this problem into a Dynamic Programming Solution.In this course, we will start with a basic introduction to Dynamic Programming. We will understand what Dynamic Programming is and how to find out whether a recursive problem can be solved using Dynamic Programming.

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Welcome to this course. Here, you will go through a "journey" of the Top 50 Dynamic Programming Java Algorithm questions that are asked in coding interviews as well as competitive programming. So let's start by answering the most fundamental questions:What is Dynamic Programming Algorithm?Dynamic programming is a powerful optimization technique for plain recursion problems. If you can break down a problem into simpler sub-problems (optimal substructure) and these sub-problems are repetitive in nature, then you can convert this problem into a Dynamic Programming Solution.In this course, we will start with a basic introduction to Dynamic Programming. We will understand what Dynamic Programming is and how to find out whether a recursive problem can be solved using Dynamic Programming.

Can Dynamic Programming solve all problems?

Dynamic Programming cannot solve all problems. The dynamic programming algorithm is meant to solve only those problems that have optimal substructure and overlapping subproblem properties.

Why is Dynamic Programming faster?

Dynamic Programming is faster because we break down a problem into various smaller subproblems. Then, we store the solutions of these subproblems in a table or cache whenever we encounter them first. Hence, if we get the same subproblem later on, instead of recomputing it, we fetch it from the storage and return it. This saves us a lot of time.

Moreover, since a Dynamic Programming algorithm required optimal substructure property. It means that the best solution to the initial subproblem can be constructed from the optimal solutions of its subproblems. Hence, we can easily eliminate the need to consider all the possible subproblem solutions. This reduces the time complexity of the algorithm.What will be our approach when you take this course?We will solve the 50 most popular Dynamic Programming examples asked in coding interviews. For each question, our approach will be:

  • Understand the problem statement with a few examples.

  • Check if it can be solved recursively.

  • Build a recursion tree and determine the recursive pattern.

  • Check for optimal substructure and overlapping subproblem properties using the recursive tree.

  • Derive the recursive code for the solution.

  • Using the recursive code, convert the problem to a Top-Down (Memoization) approach.

  • Then solve the same problem with the Bottom-Up (Tabulation) approach.

  • Come up with an optimized DP solution if possible (space or time).

  • Discuss the time and space complexities of all the approaches.

Don't worry, we won't bore you with slides and PPTs. We will understand each algorithm using a whiteboard explanation of approaches and the code in parallel. This will help you to be more expressive during your interviews.In any interview, the interviewer wants to know the thinking or the approach that you are going to take to solve a problem given by him. Thus, it becomes very necessary to keep reciting the approach out loud. The format of these videos will help you to think out loud and will promote discussions and you will be able to question back the interviewer.What are the top 50 Dynamic Programming Problems or Examples asked in Coding Interview and Competitive Programming that we will discuss?

Lecture 1: Introduction

Lecture 2: Introduction to Dynamic Programming - Recursive, Memoization, Tabulation

Lecture 3: Binomial Coefficient Problem

Lecture 4: Maximize the Cut Segments

Lecture 5: Friends Pairing Problem

Lecture 6: Rod Cutting Problem

Lecture 7: Gold Mine Problem

Lecture 8: Nth Catalan Number

Lecture 9: Largest Sum Contiguous SubArray (Kadane's Algorithm)

Lecture 10: Climbing Stairs

Lecture 11: Maximum Sum Increasing Subsequence

Lecture 12: House Robber

Lecture 13: Subset Sum Problem

Lecture 14: Longest Common Subsequence

Lecture 15: Longest Increasing Subsequence

Lecture 16: Weighted Job Scheduling

Lecture 17: Maximum Length Chain of Pairs

Lecture 18: Maximum Sum of Disjoint Pairs with Specific Differences

Lecture 19: Egg-Dropping Problem

Lecture 20: Minimum Removals from Array to make Max - Min <= K (DP + Binary Search)

Lecture 21: Maximum Size Square Sub-Matrix with all 1s

Lecture 22: Largest Area Rectangular Sub-Matrix with Equal 0's and 1's

Lecture 23: Largest Rectangular Sub-Matrix whose Sum is 0

Lecture 24: Maximum Sum Rectangle in a 2D Matrix

Lecture 25: Longest Palindromic Subsequence

Lecture 26: Longest Palindromic Substring

Lecture 27: Longest Alternating Subsequence

Lecture 28: Count All Palindromic Subsequences in a Given String

Lecture 29: Longest Common Substring

Lecture 30: Longest Subsequence such that the Difference Between Adjacent is 1

Lecture 31: Longest Repeated Subsequence

Lecture 32: Word Break Problem

Lecture 33: Permutation Coefficient Problem

Lecture 34: Minimum Number of Jumps to Reach End

Lecture 35: Partition Problem

Lecture 36: Count Derangements

Lecture 37: Count the Number of Ways to Reach a Given Score in a Game

Lecture 38: Palindromic Partitioning

Lecture 39: Matrix Chain Multiplication

Lecture 40: Maximum Subsequence Sum such that no 3 Elements are Consecutive

Lecture 41: Painting the Fence

Lecture 42: Largest Independent Set of Nodes in a Binary Tree

Lecture 43: Count Balanced Binary Trees of Height H

Lecture 44: Coin Change Problem

Lecture 45: Optimal Strategy for a Game

Lecture 46: Unique Paths

Lecture 47: Minimum Cost Path

Lecture 48: Coin Game Winner Where Every Player Has 3 Choices

Lecture 49: Edit Distance

Lecture 50: 0/1 Knapsack Problem

Lecture 51: Find if a String is Interleaved with 2 Other Strings

Lecture 52: Maximum Profit by Buying and Selling a Share at Most Twice

These questions are taken from popular practice websites and hence, are asked in coding interviews of top tech companies like Google, Apple, IBM, Cisco, Atlassian, Microsoft, etc. In each of these questions, not only you will learn just about the algorithm to solve those questions, but you will also learn about other concepts like working with HashMaps, HashSets, sorting an array of objects using comparators, binary search algorithms, trees, etc. You will be able to understand the basics of Java programming language and other data structures as well.Having said this, let's meet in the first lecture on "Introduction to Dynamic Programming".

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Understand what is dynamic programming, recursion, and back tracking
  • Learn the criteria to classify a dynamic programming question using optimal substructure and overlapping subproblems
  • Master the art of recursion and learn how to convert a recursion problem to dynamic programming
  • Solve top 50 handpicked dynamic programming java algorithm questions asked in competitive programming and programming interviews
  • Solve each question in recursive, top-down (memoization) and bottom-up (tabulation) dynamic programming approaches
  • Get one step closer to competitive programming and acing coding interview
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Syllabus

Introduction
Introduction to Dynamic Programming - Recursive, Memoization, Tabulation
Take the challenge!
Learn how to solve Binomial Coefficient Problem using Dynamic Programming.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers dynamic programming problems commonly asked in interviews at top tech companies, providing targeted preparation
Uses Java to implement dynamic programming solutions, offering practical coding experience in a widely-used language
Explores recursion, memoization, and tabulation, which are fundamental techniques in algorithm design and optimization
Includes problems relevant to competitive programming, helping learners improve their problem-solving skills
Assumes familiarity with basic programming concepts and data structures, which may require some learners to acquire prerequisites
Emphasizes understanding the problem statement, devising a recursive solution, and optimizing it using dynamic programming

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Reviews summary

Dynamic programming for coding interviews

According to learners, this course offers a structured and comprehensive approach to dynamic programming, specifically targeting coding interviews. Students appreciate the methodology that breaks down problems from recursion to memoization and tabulation. The instructor's explanations are largely clear, often using a whiteboard style which helps visualize concepts. Many find the problem selection highly relevant to real interview scenarios. However, a few reviews mention minor issues with code readability or minor errors, and some suggest the course is best suited for those with some prior programming experience, rather than absolute beginners to algorithms.
Visual approach enhances understanding.
"The whiteboard explanations are a game-changer for visualizing DP concepts."
"Watching the instructor draw out the recursion trees and tables was incredibly helpful."
"This style promotes thinking through the problem out loud, just like in an interview."
Clear explanations and teaching style.
"Instructor is clear and easy to understand. The whiteboard approach is effective."
"His explanations are spot-on, making complex topics manageable."
"The way the instructor visualizes the problem and the solution is very helpful."
"I appreciate the detailed walkthroughs and the instructor's patience."
Covers common interview questions.
"The problems chosen are highly relevant to coding interviews. Exactly what I needed."
"Great collection of classic DP problems frequently asked by big tech companies."
"I found many of these problems appearing in mock interviews after taking this course."
"The list of 50 problems is a fantastic resource for interview preparation."
Follows clear steps: recursion, memo, tab.
"I really liked how the instructor explains the problem, then shows the recursion, then memoization, and finally tabulation."
"The step-by-step process of deriving the DP solution from recursive thinking is incredibly helpful."
"Learning the three approaches (recursive, memoization, tabulation) for each problem solidified my understanding."
"The consistent structure for solving problems is a major strength of this course."
"The course method of starting with recursive, then memoization, then tabulation is a very effective learning method."
Some reviews note issues with code.
"While the concepts are well explained, the code sometimes contains minor errors or isn't the cleanest."
"The provided code solutions occasionally had slight variations or needed debugging."
"I had to spend time debugging the code provided in some lectures, which was frustrating."
"Code readability could be improved in a few examples."
Better for those with some algorithm basics.
"This course is great if you have some basic understanding of algorithms already, maybe not for absolute beginners."
"I felt it moved a bit fast in the initial sections, assuming some prior knowledge."
"Best suited for someone preparing for interviews, rather than a complete introduction to DP."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Top 50 Dynamic Programming Java Algorithms Coding Questions with these activities:
Review Recursion Fundamentals
Solidify your understanding of recursion, as dynamic programming builds upon recursive solutions. Refreshing this knowledge will make grasping the DP concepts easier.
Browse courses on Recursion
Show steps
  • Review the definition of recursion and its components.
  • Practice writing simple recursive functions (e.g., factorial, Fibonacci).
  • Trace the execution of recursive functions using a call stack.
Read 'Introduction to Algorithms' by Cormen et al.
Supplement your learning with a comprehensive algorithms textbook. This will provide a deeper understanding of the underlying principles and techniques.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on dynamic programming and related topics.
  • Work through the examples and exercises in the book.
  • Compare the book's approach to the course material.
Implement DP solutions on LeetCode
Reinforce your understanding of dynamic programming by solving similar problems on LeetCode. This will help you internalize the patterns and improve your problem-solving skills.
Show steps
  • Select a set of dynamic programming problems on LeetCode.
  • Implement solutions using both memoization and tabulation.
  • Analyze the time and space complexity of your solutions.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Read 'Cracking the Coding Interview' by Gayle Laakmann McDowell
Prepare for coding interviews by studying dynamic programming problems from a popular interview preparation book. This will help you develop your problem-solving skills and confidence.
Show steps
  • Read the chapter on dynamic programming.
  • Solve the practice problems in the book.
  • Compare your solutions to the book's solutions.
Create a DP algorithm cheat sheet
Consolidate your knowledge by creating a cheat sheet summarizing the key concepts and techniques of dynamic programming. This will serve as a valuable reference for future problem-solving.
Show steps
  • Summarize the key concepts of dynamic programming.
  • Include examples of common DP patterns and techniques.
  • Organize the cheat sheet for easy reference.
Design a DP-based game solver
Apply your dynamic programming knowledge to a real-world problem by creating a game solver. This project will challenge you to think critically and creatively about DP applications.
Show steps
  • Choose a game that can be solved using dynamic programming.
  • Design a DP algorithm to find the optimal strategy.
  • Implement the algorithm in Java and test it thoroughly.
Tutor other students in DP
Solidify your understanding by teaching dynamic programming concepts to other students. Explaining the material will force you to think critically and identify any gaps in your knowledge.
Show steps
  • Offer tutoring sessions to students struggling with DP.
  • Prepare explanations and examples to illustrate key concepts.
  • Answer questions and provide feedback to your tutees.

Career center

Learners who complete Top 50 Dynamic Programming Java Algorithms Coding Questions will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Competitive Programmer
A Competitive Programmer participates in coding competitions, solving algorithmic problems under time constraints. This course directly helps a Competitive Programmer to hone their dynamic programming skills. The course's focus on top dynamic programming questions provides targeted practice for coding contests. By learning various dynamic programming approaches, the course may allow a Competitive Programmer to enhance their problem-solving speed and accuracy.
Algorithm Developer
An Algorithm Developer focuses on creating and improving algorithms for various applications. This course helps an Algorithm Developer refine their problem-solving and optimization skills. The course dives into dynamic programming, which is vital for creating efficient algorithms. By covering 50 dynamic programming problems, the course may allow an Algorithm Developer to gain practical experience in algorithm design and implementation.
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer designs, develops, and tests software applications. This course, by focusing on dynamic programming, helps a software engineer optimize algorithms for improved performance. The course provides a deep dive into dynamic programming techniques, which are essential for solving complex coding problems efficiently. The comprehensive approach in this course may allow a Software Engineer to master dynamic programming implementations.
Performance Engineer
A Performance Engineer analyzes and optimizes the performance of software systems. This course helps a Performance Engineer in identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks using dynamic programming. The course's coverage of dynamic programming techniques is useful for optimizing algorithms and improving system efficiency. The dynamic programming examples may allow a Performance Engineer to improve their problem-solving and optimization skills.
Machine Learning Engineer
A Machine Learning Engineer designs and implements machine learning algorithms. This course may help a Machine Learning Engineer in improving the efficiency of their machine learning models. The dynamic programming techniques covered in the course are valuable for optimizing model training and prediction. Going through the dynamic programming problems in this course may allow a Machine Learning Engineer to enhance their algorithm design and implementation skills.
Quantitative Analyst
A Quantitative Analyst, often requiring a masters degree or higher, uses mathematical and statistical methods to solve financial problems. This course helps a Quantitative Analyst in developing efficient algorithms for financial modeling and optimization. The course's coverage of dynamic programming is particularly useful for solving problems related to portfolio optimization and algorithmic trading. The dynamic programming examples may allow a Quantitative Analyst to improve their analytical and problem-solving skills.
Data Scientist
A Data Scientist uses algorithms and statistical methods to analyze data and extract insights. This course may be useful for a Data Scientist to optimize data processing and analysis techniques. The course's emphasis on dynamic programming helps in solving complex optimization problems that arise in data science. The course's coverage of various dynamic programming examples may allow a Data Scientist to apply these techniques to real-world data challenges.
Technical Lead
A Technical Lead guides a team of developers, ensuring the quality and efficiency of software projects. This course helps a Technical Lead mentor junior developers in dynamic programming techniques. The course's coverage of top dynamic programming questions provides a solid foundation for solving complex coding problems. By mastering dynamic programming approaches, the course allows a Technical Lead to guide their team in designing optimal solutions.
Game Developer
A Game Developer designs and develops video games. This course helps a Game Developer in optimizing game algorithms and improving game performance. The course's dynamic programming techniques are useful for solving problems related to pathfinding, resource management, and artificial intelligence in games. The dynamic programming examples may allow a Game Developer to enhance their game design and development skills.
Embedded Systems Engineer
An Embedded Systems Engineer develops software for embedded systems. This course may assist an Embedded Systems Engineer in optimizing algorithms for resource-constrained environments. The course's focus on dynamic programming is useful for solving problems related to memory management and power optimization in embedded systems. The dynamic programming examples may allow an Embedded Systems Engineer to improve their coding and problem-solving skills.
Data Analyst
A Data Analyst collects, processes, and performs statistical analyses of datasets. Through understanding of dynamic programming, this course may help a Data Analyst optimize data processing algorithms and improve efficiency in data manipulation tasks. The knowledge of dynamic programming may allow a Data Analyst to develop more efficient ways of querying, aggregating, and presenting data for decision-making purposes.
Robotics Engineer
A Robotics Engineer designs, builds, and programs robots. This course may assist a Robotics Engineer in optimizing robot control algorithms and improving robot efficiency. The course's coverage of dynamic programming is valuable for solving problems related to motion planning and task scheduling in robotics. The dynamic programming examples may allow a Robotics Engineer to enhance their algorithm design and implementation skills.
Firmware Engineer
A Firmware Engineer develops low-level software that controls hardware devices. This course may be useful for a Firmware Engineer in optimizing firmware algorithms for improved performance and efficiency. The course's dynamic programming techniques may help in solving problems related to resource allocation and task scheduling in firmware. The course's dynamic programming examples may allow a Firmware Engineer to enhance their coding skills.
Algorithm Tester
An Algorithm Tester is responsible for designing and executing tests to ensure the correctness and efficiency of algorithms. By learning dynamic programming techniques, this course may help the Algorithm Tester understand the intricacies of various algorithmic approaches, allowing them to create more robust and comprehensive test cases. This course's coverage dynamic programming problems may allow an Algorithm Tester to verify the correctness of solutions and identify potential edge cases overlooked by developers.
DevOps Engineer
A DevOps Engineer manages and automates software development and deployment processes. This course may be useful for a DevOps Engineer to optimize infrastructure and deployment pipelines. The dynamic programming techniques covered in the course can be applied to solve problems related to resource allocation and task scheduling in DevOps environments. The dynamic programming examples may allow a DevOps Engineer to enhance their problem-solving and automation skills.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Top 50 Dynamic Programming Java Algorithms Coding Questions.
Comprehensive textbook on algorithms, covering a wide range of topics including dynamic programming. It provides detailed explanations, pseudocode, and analysis of various algorithms. It valuable resource for understanding the theoretical foundations of dynamic programming and its applications, and is often used as a textbook in university courses. This book provides a strong foundation for the course material.
While not solely focused on dynamic programming, this book covers a wide range of coding interview topics, including dynamic programming. It provides problem-solving strategies and code examples in Java, making it a valuable resource for interview preparation. It good complement to the course, offering a broader perspective on coding interview questions. useful reference for interview preparation.

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