How to LeetCode the right way?

Preparing effectively on LeetCode can significantly enhance your problem-solving skills and boost your confidence for technical interviews. However, to "LeetCode the right way," it's essential to adopt a strategic and structured approach rather than merely solving as many problems as possible. Below is a comprehensive guide outlining best practices, strategies, and tips to maximize your LeetCode experience and achieve your coding interview goals.

1. Set Clear Goals

a. Define Your Objectives

Interview Preparation: Aim to solve problems that are commonly asked by top tech companies.
Skill Enhancement: Focus on improving specific areas like data structures, algorithms, or system design.
Competitive Programming: Prepare for coding contests and competitions.

b. Establish a Timeline

Short-Term Goals: Weekly or monthly targets (e.g., solve 10 problems per week).
Long-Term Goals: Achieve mastery over certain topics or problem types by a specific date.

2. Choose the Right Problems

a. Start with Fundamentals

Data Structures: Arrays, Strings, Linked Lists, Stacks, Queues.
Basic Algorithms: Sorting, Searching, Recursion.

b. Progress to Intermediate and Advanced Problems

Trees and Graphs: Binary Trees, Binary Search Trees, Graph Traversal.
Dynamic Programming: Understanding memoization and tabulation techniques.
Advanced Topics: Bit Manipulation, Greedy Algorithms, Backtracking.

c. Utilize Curated Lists

Grokking 75: A list of 75 essential problems covering a broad range of topics.
- Grokking 75 List

d. Focus on Company-Specific Problems

Company Tags: Filter problems by companies like Google, Amazon, Facebook to practice questions frequently asked by them.
- Design Gurus Company Tags

3. Follow a Structured Study Plan

a. Create a Study Schedule

Daily Commitment: Allocate specific hours each day dedicated to solving problems.
- Example: 1-2 hours daily, adjusted based on your availability.
Balanced Approach: Mix different topics and difficulty levels to maintain engagement and comprehensive coverage.