Cracking the Coding Interview vs LeetCode: The Evolution of Technical Interviews

💡The modern coding interview has evolved from traditional methods to focus on algorithm-style questions.

📚Cracking the Coding Interview, a book published in 2008, was one of the primary resources for interview preparation at the time.

🔍LeetCode, a popular platform for coding practice, was created in 2015 and is now widely used for interview preparation.

📈As more engineers prepare specifically for algorithm-style interviews, the bar for interview difficulty continues to rise.

⚖️While algorithm knowledge is important, it should not be the sole determining factor for evaluating a candidate's suitability as an engineer.

What was the traditional method of coding interviews?

—Previously, coding interviews focused on reading books like 'Cracking the Coding Interview' and solving practice questions that others had encountered.

When was LeetCode created?

—LeetCode, a platform for coding practice, was created in 2015.

Why is the modern coding interview more difficult?

—The modern coding interview is more challenging due to the increasing demand for skilled engineers, leading to higher expectations and the need for candidates to solve complex problems.

Is algorithm knowledge the only important factor in evaluating an engineer?

—No, while algorithm knowledge is important, it should not be the sole determinant. A good engineer possesses a balance of various skills and qualities.

What factors contribute to the rising difficulty of coding interviews?

—The rising difficulty of coding interviews is attributed to the supply and demand ratio. Companies raise the bar to filter candidates, resulting in an increased focus on advanced algorithmic problem-solving skills.

00:00The modern coding interview has evolved from traditional methods to focus on algorithm-style questions.

01:32Cracking the Coding Interview, a book published in 2008, was a primary resource for interview preparation.

02:52LeetCode, a popular coding practice platform, was created in 2015 and is widely used for interview preparation.

03:51The demand for skilled engineers has raised the bar, requiring candidates to solve complex problems.

05:39Algorithm knowledge is important, but not the sole determinant of a good engineer.