What's New? Changes from the 5th Edition

You know that thing that some textbook authors do where they come out with a new edition that's basically the same, just to encourage you to buy a new copy? Yeah, I think that's unfair. I don't do that.

This is big -- HUGE -- change from the 5th edition (which, in turn, was a huge change from the 4th edition). 

It has 70% more content. I actually had to change the page size because it got too long for the printer to handle!

Some of the changes I'm most excited about include: 
  • Hints! Every problem has hints — sometimes 10 or more on the hardest problems. You should still of course try to do the problems without the hints, but they’re there when you need them. This helps unstick you when you’re stuck so solving a question isn’t so all or nothing. It also does a better job of imitating a real interview since real interviewers will give you hints too.
  • Big O: Since writing the 5th edition, I’ve realized how many people struggle with big O (even those with CS degrees, and even those who think they’re pretty comfortable with it). It’s such an important topic and it’s crucial that you’re truly fluent with big O.
  • Fun new problems: This edition has 189 problems and the last one has 150. Do the math — that’s 39 new problems. I took out a few problems that are less useful, so it’s actually a bit more than that.
  • New strategies for solving algorithm questions: I’ve done a bunch of interview prep/coaching over the last few years, and developed some new techniques for solving algorithm questions. They work super well and are applicable to a lot of problems.
  • Fewer Prerequisites: I wrote the 5th edition under the impression that my readers were all have CS degrees. Turns out… not so much. I didn’t dumb it down the book, but I did take the time to explain some topics that people without degrees (or people who are just rustier on those topics) might not be as comfortable with.
  • Expanded sections on System Design and Trees and Graphs, plus an Advanced Topics section at the back: Related to the previous bullet, I’ve actually expanded more on these topics.

Check out the detailed Table of Contents here.