Data Structures, Algorithms, and the Wisdom to Know the Difference

Data Structures, Algorithms, and the Wisdom to Know the Difference

Larson, Bjorn

Karuppasamy, Geetha

Data Structures and Algorithms is based on computer science theory, but the majority of practitioners don't bother. Why solve a problem that's already been solved? And that's what we hope to express: why should we solve problems that have already been solved?

There are three use cases that computer science students are pulled between. They need to know the base theory that leads to their answers, they need to know how the programming itself works, and they need to know what professionals in the field actually do. Using conversational prose, we step novice computer scientists and programmers through each of the progressively more complex data structures and algorithms they need to have a firm foundation in their practice and craft.

Starting with single nodes, we move to arrays, trees, and graphs in turn. The emphasis is on learning how to think like a computer scientist and what the implications for each structure or algorithm are. In practical, direct terms, we guide the reader from the problem domain to the solution domain in reasonable, approachable steps.

Data Structures

Algorithms

Oklahoma State University

2026

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

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