Book · 2016
Grokking Algorithms
by Aditya Y. Bhargava
A cartoon-illustrated walkthrough of binary search, sorting, and graphs aimed at people who bounced off Introduction to Algorithms.
What does Reddit think of Grokking Algorithms?
Grokking Algorithms shows up in r/learnprogramming as a step in a sequence, not a destination. One cscareerquestions commenter (↑75) describes reading a chapter, then immediately going to Leetcode and filtering for easy problems tagged to that same topic, using the book as a study-plan skeleton rather than something to finish and set aside. Another commenter (↑71) slots it into a longer prep path after Abdul Bari's C++ course, but only recommends the first half, which says something about how the back half is regarded even if nobody spells out why. A third (↑47) puts it next to Introduction to Algorithms specifically as the less math-heavy option, while admitting they personally learned DS&A from a different book, A Common Sense Guide, rather than this one. Nobody in this small sample argues the book is bad. Nobody argues it's essential either. It's a supporting citation, cropping up 24 times across six tracked years, mostly in r/learnprogramming.
Community feedback & reader fit
Themes
- · A chapter-by-chapter companion to Leetcode practice, not a standalone read
- · Recommended in half-measures: the first half gets cited, not the whole book
- · Positioned as the low-math alternative to CLRS rather than the default pick
- · A supporting citation inside longer prep sequences, never the headline book
Common praise
- + One commenter (↑75) builds an entire study method around it: read a chapter, then go find matching Leetcode problems at easy difficulty before moving on.
- + Gets slotted into a structured prep sequence right after a paid C++ course, treated as a working step rather than filler (↑71).
- + Named as the accessible alternative to Introduction to Algorithms for people without a heavy math background (↑47).
Common criticism
- − One recommender (↑71) only vouches for the first half of the book, leaving the back half unaddressed.
- − The commenter who compares it to CLRS (↑47) also says they personally learned data structures and algorithms from a different book entirely, not this one.
- − Only 24 recognized references across six tracked years, almost all in a single subreddit, so this reads as a minor supporting title rather than a widely argued-over one.
Who it's for
Pair it with practice instead of reading it cover to cover: the working method here is chapter, then matching Leetcode problems, then next chapter. If you don't have a math background and CLRS already stalled you out once, this gets named as the lighter alternative. Building a longer study sequence around a paid course or CS50? One displayed path drops this in partway through, first half only, right after the fundamentals. Looking for the one book people say actually taught them DS&A? That distinction, in this sample, goes to a different title.
Mentions over time
Which Reddit comments matter for Grokking Algorithms?
The most relevant excerpts across the subreddits where this book is mentioned — opinionated, argued takes first, then top-upvoted mentions. Click through to read the full thread.
“Here's my list of the classics: **General Computing** * But How Do It Know? - The Basic Principles of Computers for Everyone * The Elements of Computing Systems: Building a Modern Computer from First Principles * […
“It's not that you absolute have to know DS&A stuff to use them all to solve day-to-day programming problems, it's that learning them will help you understand deeper principles that will make it easier to tackle the practical problems that you face. I definitely couldn't write different kinds of sort…
“>The thing here is, it was a very exciting thing to see all these technologies in such a short timeframe, but I was barely able to grasp any of them. Can't … your own. * basic understanding of data structures and algorithms - something that bootcamp obviously skipped and it comes out A LOT in job in…
“We used the (famous) book Data Structures and Algorithms in Java when I was in school. I really thought it did a pretty good job with explanations and examples. Another book that's pretty good, and maybe easier to understand is Grokking Algorithms: An Illustrated Guide for Programmers and Other Curi…
“Grokking Algorithms is the best entry-level algorithms and data structures book imo. Covers everything important, with pseudo-code that is very close to Python. Assumes very little math knowledge compared to other resources.
“A few of my favorites: Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution, by Steven Levy Where Wizards Stay Up Late: the Origins of the Internet, by Katie Hafner and Matthew Lyon The Soul of a New Machine, by Tracy Kidder Nine Algorithms That Changed the Future: The Ingenious Ideas That Drive Today's C…
“Grokking Algorithms if you didn’t master that in school. Advanced Unix Programming, which is applicable to pretty much every platform these days. Designing Data Intensive Applications is looking like another one for the list.
“For my process, I started by reading “grokking algorithms” by Aditya Bhargava as an introduction to different data structures and algorithms. I would read a chapter and then go to Leetcode and search for problem with tags matching the chapter topic, difficulty level easy, sorted by highest accepta…
“The best path for Leetcode would be: 1. CS50x 2. Abdul Bari's C++ Programming (buy from personal site for $7) 3. First half of Grokking Algorithms by Aditya Bhargava 3. Abdul Bari's Data Structures in C / C++ 4. FreeCodeCamp's Scientific Computing in Python and Data Analysis in Python certificates.…
“How about giving "Grokking Algorithms" a go? It goes through some basic algorithms and data structures in a manner which is easy to understand.
“Time complexity clicked for me when I started thinking of it like making coffee - there's a difference between brewing one cup (O(1)), making cups for everyone in a meeting (O(n)), and organizing a coffee tasting event where everyone tries everyone else's brew (O(n²)). Start with 'Big O Notation in …
“I recommend getting Grokking Algorithms by Aditya Bhargava and pairing that with structy. The book is illustrated, programmed in Python, and intuitive. Structy provides video instru…
“Grokking Algorithms. It is the best book for visual learners. Beginner friendly. I finished one third of it in few days. While reading the book, you should practice. The ideal way to do this is solving easy questions in leetcode. For instance, you have read about arrays. Go leetcode and choose que…
“Was in your shoes literally 2 days ago. Pick up the book Grokking Algorithms. It’s helped me build an understanding of basic data structure and algorithms through simplified examples that include visuals. 10/10
“One book that love is grokking algorithms: It was recommended by a wonderful British python guy on YouTube. Can’t remember his name. This book is what my dad would call idiot proof. Great illustrations, relatable examples and goes into a good leve…
Convinced? Pick up Grokking Algorithms
Readers also mention
Books that share discussion threads with Grokking Algorithms — counted from the comments, not curated.
Guides featuring Grokking Algorithms
Ranked best-of lists and editorial guides where this book's tracked mentions place it.
Grokking Algorithms — frequently asked
Is Grokking Algorithms enough on its own to prepare for coding interviews?+
Not by itself, based on the displayed data. One r/cscareerquestions commenter (↑75) pairs it directly with Leetcode, reading a chapter and then solving matching easy-difficulty problems before moving to the next topic. The book functions as the framework here, with the actual interview prep happening on Leetcode alongside it.
Do you need to finish all of Grokking Algorithms, or just part of it?+
One r/learnprogramming prep sequence (↑71) only recommends the first half, slotting it in after a paid C++ course. The comment doesn't say why the back half is excluded, but the displayed endorsement stops there rather than covering the whole book.
Is Grokking Algorithms a good substitute for Introduction to Algorithms (CLRS)?+
For readers without a strong math background, yes, according to one r/learnprogramming list (↑47) that names it as the less math-heavy option next to CLRS.