Learn Algorithms: Merge Sort in JavaScript from Coursera

In this course, you'll practice your software craftsmanship skills by coding six different merge sort algorithms. Each solution will teach you a new technique for solving problems as a software developer and level up your computer science skills in general.

The course aims to help working developers or bootcamp graduates to step up their software design skills by learning to think algorithmically.

Along the way, you'll learn to code six alternative implementations of the Merge Sort algorithm, as well as algorithm analysis and a handful of powerful design patterns.

By the end, you’ll be more confident in your CS skills and have sharper problem-solving abilities.

What's inside

Syllabus

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Teaches six alternative implementations of the Merge Sort algorithm, enhancing computer science skills and problem-solving abilities

Focuses on algorithmic thinking and software design skills, which are essential for career advancement in software development

Explores algorithm analysis and design patterns, which are valuable for improving code efficiency and maintainability

Reviews summary

Deep dive into merge sort in javascript

According to students, this course offers a deep dive into the Merge Sort algorithm, presenting it through six distinct implementations. Learners appreciate the focus on algorithm analysis, including Big O notation, and find the content useful for improving their software craftsmanship skills in a JavaScript context. While many describe it as challenging but rewarding, particularly for working developers and bootcamp graduates, some note that the singular focus on one algorithm might feel limited if seeking broader algorithm knowledge. Overall, the reception is largely positive for those looking to truly master Merge Sort.

Concentrates on implementation in JS.

"Great course if you are a JavaScript developer wanting to learn algorithms."

"The concepts are universal, but the coding examples are strictly in JS."

"Perfect for brushing up on algorithms using a modern JavaScript approach."

Teaches how to analyze performance.

"The section on algorithm analysis and Big O notation was very helpful."

"Learned how to properly analyze the time and space complexity of algorithms."

"The instructor did a good job explaining the 'why' behind the different implementations' performance."

Explores diverse coding techniques.

"Seeing six different ways to implement Merge Sort really opened my eyes to different coding styles."

"The variety of implementations was the strongest part; it solidified my understanding."

"I appreciated the practical application of design patterns through the various code examples."

Offers in-depth coverage of the algorithm.

"I feel like I truly understand Merge Sort now, seeing it implemented so many different ways."

"The course provides an incredibly thorough look at this specific algorithm."

"Excellent breakdown and explanation of Merge Sort from multiple angles."

Limited scope to one algorithm.

"While the coverage of Merge Sort is excellent, don't expect a broad introduction to algorithms."

"It's hyper-focused on one algorithm, which is great for depth but lacks breadth."

"Wish it touched on a few other common algorithms, even briefly, for context."

Difficulty varies for learners.

"Found some of the later implementations quite challenging and had to rewatch lectures."

"This course is best if you already have a solid foundation in programming."

"It requires active coding and thinking, not just passive watching."

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 Learn Algorithms: Merge Sort in JavaScript with these activities:

Review Divide and Conquer Algorithms

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Refresh your understanding of divide and conquer strategies, which are fundamental to merge sort.

Browse courses on Divide and Conquer Algorithms

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Read articles and watch videos explaining divide and conquer.
Solve a few basic divide and conquer problems.

Grokking Algorithms

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Enhance your understanding of merge sort with a visually engaging algorithms book.

View Grokking Algorithms, Second Edition on Amazon

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Read the chapter on sorting algorithms, including merge sort.
Pay attention to the diagrams and illustrations.

Review Introduction to Algorithms

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Deepen your understanding of merge sort with a comprehensive algorithms textbook.

View Introduction to Algorithms, fourth edition on Amazon

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Read the chapter on merge sort and related sorting algorithms.
Work through the examples and exercises in the book.

Four other activities

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Write a Blog Post Explaining Merge Sort

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Reinforce your knowledge by explaining merge sort in a blog post.

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Research merge sort and its applications.
Write a clear and concise explanation of the algorithm.
Include diagrams and examples to illustrate the process.
Publish the blog post on a platform like Medium or your own website.

Implement Merge Sort in Different Languages

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Solidify your understanding by implementing merge sort in languages other than JavaScript.

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Choose a language like Python, Java, or C++.
Implement merge sort from scratch in the chosen language.
Compare your implementation with existing implementations.

Pair Programming on Merge Sort Variations

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Collaborate with a peer to implement and discuss different merge sort variations.

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Find a partner who is also learning algorithms.
Choose a merge sort variation to implement together.
Take turns coding and explaining your approach.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the chosen variation.

Build a Sorting Algorithm Visualizer

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Create a visual representation of merge sort to better understand its execution.

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Design the user interface for the visualizer.
Implement merge sort in JavaScript.
Connect the algorithm to the visual representation.
Add features to control the speed and data size.

Career center

Learners who complete Learn Algorithms: Merge Sort in JavaScript will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Algorithm Developer

An algorithm developer designs, develops, and implements algorithms to solve complex computational problems. This course, dedicated to merge sort, is exactly the kind of training that might be of interest to an algorithm developer. In this role, you'll need to be able to think algorithmically, and this course specifically aims to boost those abilities. The course's focus on alternative implementations of the merge sort algorithm is helpful to an algorithm developer seeking to expand their toolkit.

See salaries and explore the career path for Algorithm Developer

Software Engineer

A software engineer designs and develops software applications, working with algorithms and data structures to create efficient and reliable systems. This course, focused on implementing merge sort algorithms, will help build a foundation in algorithmic thinking, which is essential for the job. In this role, you will refine problem solving, and this course works to sharpen those abilities with six implementations of Merge Sort. For a software engineer, this course is a way to step up their software design skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Backend Developer

A backend developer focuses on the server-side logic of applications and often works with algorithms and data structures to ensure efficient data handling and processing. This course, focused on merge sort algorithms, will help build a strong foundation in computer science, which is relevant to the role. In this kind of work you will be refining your problem-solving, and this course may be useful for those who wish to sharpen their abilities with six implementations of merge sort. A backend developer who seeks to level up their software design skills should consider this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Backend Developer

Software Architect

A software architect designs the high-level structure of software systems, often making choices about algorithms and data structures that impact the system's overall performance. This course's focus on merge sort helps build the kind of algorithmic thinking which is relevant to a software architect. In this role, you will make choices that impact performance, and this course may be useful in giving you a deeper understanding of algorithm analysis. Further, learning six alternative implementations of the same algorithm can be helpful for a software architect.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect

Machine Learning Engineer

A machine learning engineer develops and implements machine learning models, a task that requires a strong understanding of algorithms and data structures. This course dedicated to merge sort may be useful for a machine learning engineer, since algorithmic thinking is relevant to much of their work. While this role requires a broad suite of skills, honing one's abilities in identifying alternative approaches is a plus. The course's focus on six implementations of a sorting algorithm helps in this regard.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Data Scientist

Data scientists analyze complex datasets to derive insights, and the role requires a solid understanding of algorithms for data manipulation and processing. This course, with its in-depth study of merge sort, may be useful for a data scientist who works with data that needs to be efficiently ordered or sorted. Although this role goes beyond sorting algorithms alone, the study of six different implementations of merge sort will provide a view into alternative approaches to problem solving. Understanding algorithmic thinking is a component of this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Web Developer

A web developer creates websites and web applications, and while many of their tasks do not directly involve algorithm implementation, understanding core computer science principles helps them write better code in the language of their choice. This course studying merge sort introduces algorithmic thinking which can be helpful for a web developer. Although web developers do not primarily implement sorting algorithms, a deeper understanding of computer science is a useful component of web development. This course may be useful to a web developer who wants to level up their computer science skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Mobile Application Developer

A mobile application developer creates applications for mobile devices and a solid understanding of algorithms can help optimize the performance of application code. This course on merge sort may provide helpful background knowledge that a developer needs. In this role, problem-solving is a key skill and this course's focus on multiple implementations of the merge sort algorithm can strengthen a mobile application developer's abilities. The course may be helpful to a mobile application developer who is trying to improve their software design skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile Application Developer

Research Scientist

A research scientist investigates and conducts research in scientific fields, often needing to implement algorithms and computational techniques. This role usually requires an advanced degree. This course, which focuses on the implementation of merge sort, is useful because it provides practical exercises that develop relevant problem solving and computer science skills. A research scientist will find that the focus of the course to be helpful in building algorithmic thinking. By seeing six implementations of the same algorithm, the research scientist can see a variety of ways of approaching a problem.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

Game Developer

A game developer creates video games and their work often involves optimizing code for performance, and thus may benefit from a deeper understanding of algorithms. This course studying merge sort can be useful for a game developer. While game development requires a breadth of skills, improving your problem-solving abilities is helpful. Since this course focuses on six different implementations, the game developer will have exposure to multiple approaches to problem-solving.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Developer

Systems Analyst

A systems analyst evaluates and designs computer systems and procedures. Although a systems analyst may not be implementing code on a daily basis, they will certainly need to understand the performance impacts of software choices and this is where this course is useful. The focus on merge sort provides practice in one such important family of algorithms. A systems analyst will be making design choices, and this course which emphasizes thinking algorithmically is useful to them. By seeing six implementations, one may better understand trade-offs in design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

DevOps Engineer

A DevOps Engineer is responsible for automating software development and deployment processes. They need to understand the underlying principles of software design, and this course, by focusing on merge sort, introduces core computer science ideas. Although a DevOps engineer may not implement a sorting algorithm on a daily basis, the course will expose them to algorithmic thinking. This course may be useful to a DevOps engineer who wishes to step up their software design skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Embedded Systems Engineer

An embedded systems engineer designs and develops software for embedded systems, and a deeper understanding of algorithms assists in writing optimized code. This course exploring merge sort is useful to an embedded systems engineer because it helps build a strong foundation in core computer science skills. In this role, efficient code is essential, and the course's six different implementations of a single algorithm may provide the engineer a view into alternative approaches. An embedded systems engineer may find this course to be useful in improving their problem solving abilities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Embedded Systems Engineer

Quantitative Analyst

Quantitative analysts develop and implement mathematical and statistical models for financial markets. This role may require an advanced degree. They may work with data that needs some careful algorithmic approaches, such as sorting. This course, with it's focus on six implementations of the merge sort algorithm, has useful exercises that will improve your problem solving and computer science skills. A quantitative financial analyst may find this course useful in improving their algorithmic skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quantitative Analyst

Database Administrator

A database administrator manages and maintains databases, and this role requires some understanding of the performance characteristics of database query algorithms. This course does not directly address database algorithms, it can still help you think algorithmically. Although a specific database algorithm will not be presented, this course will help you practice your software craftsmanship skills. A database administrator may find the course useful in improving their general computer science skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Learn Algorithms

Merge Sort in JavaScript

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Reviews summary

Deep dive into merge sort in javascript

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