What are the reviews for "Cracking the Coding Interview"?

By Chevas Balloun

Last Updated: June 15th 2024

Book 'Cracking the Coding Interview' with reviews from beginner coders

Too Long; Didn't Read:

"Cracking the Coding Interview" by Gayle Laakmann McDowell is a highly regarded resource, boasting a 4.7 out of 5 stars rating from over 9,000 reviews. The book contains 189 programming questions, step-by-step solutions, and expert tips. However, beginners may find it overwhelming due to its depth and complexity.

Cracking the Coding Interview by Gayle Laakmann McDowell is the real deal when it comes to nailing those coding interviews.

This total guide covers everything from foundational knowledge to advanced topics, making it a must-have for any aspiring techie.

With 189 programming questions and solutions, you'll be able to practice a wide range of problems and learn how to tackle them like a pro. But it's not just about the technical stuff - the book also gives you insider tips on impressing interviewers with your problem-solving skills and communicating your thought process effectively.

After reading this, you'll feel super confident and ready to crush any coding challenge that comes your way.

Table of Contents

  • Positive Reviews of 'Cracking the Coding Interview'
  • Criticisms and Negative Reviews
  • Comparison with Other Interview Prep Books
  • Real-Life Success Stories
  • Tips for Getting the Most Out of the Book
  • Frequently Asked Questions

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Positive Reviews of 'Cracking the Coding Interview'

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Let me break it down for you - "Cracking the Coding Interview" is straight fire when it comes to prepping for those intense coding interviews.

This book has got your back like a trusty sidekick. The reviews on Amazon are lit, with a solid 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 9,000 global ratings.

That's some serious cred right there!

Comprehensive guide: The book is packed with 189 programming questions and solutions, covering everything from the basics to the most mind-bending algorithms.

Step-by-step walkthrough: The real MVP move - it gives you a step-by-step walkthrough on how to solve each problem, so you can learn the thought process and gain that foundational knowledge like a pro.

Expert tips and tricks: It hooks you up with tips and tricks from industry experts like Gayle Laakmann McDowell, the genius behind this coding bible.

And let's not forget the real game-changer - the book teaches you how to simplify your coding interview prep with proven strategies to tackle those mind-melting algorithm questions.

It's like having a cheat code to level up your skills faster than ever before. With all this firepower at your fingertips, you'll be slaying those coding interviews in no time, just like the success stories from real-life coders who landed their dream jobs at tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Facebook.

Fill this form to download every syllabus from Nucamp.

And learn about Nucamp's Coding Bootcamps and why aspiring developers choose us.

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Criticisms and Negative Reviews

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Let's talk about this "Cracking the Coding Interview" book.

While it's pretty solid for prepping for those intense tech interviews, some people have beef with it, especially newbies. The main gripe? It can be a total information overload, like drinking from a firehose.

Some feel certain topics are glossed over, leaving them scratching their heads and hitting up other resources. As one guy put it, "The explanations were often too brief, leaving me confused and having to consult external resources."

Another major issue is the coding examples and practice problems.

Some reviewers think they're too theoretical or unrealistic, making it tough to apply that knowledge in the real world. And for beginners, the problems can be a serious difficulty spike, going from basic to brain-melting with no chill in between.

One user summed it up nicely, "The problems seemed to jump from simple to incredibly complex, with little in between." To make it more accessible, people have suggested:

  • More detailed breakdowns and walkthroughs for complex concepts
  • More real-world coding examples and a wider range of practice problems
  • *Visual aids* like diagrams to help cement understanding
  • Calling out common pitfalls beginners face and how to overcome them

Don't get it twisted – individual experiences vary, and how much you get out of the book depends on your prior knowledge and how hard you grind.

But addressing these pain points could make it even more valuable for coding newbies trying to crush their interviews and level up their skills.

At the end of the day, it's a solid resource, but some tweaks could make it truly fire for everyone.

Comparison with Other Interview Prep Books

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Let's talk about "Cracking the Coding Interview" by Gayle Laakmann McDowell.

This book is like the coding interview Bible for young devs like us. But it's not the only game in town. So, let's see how it stacks up against other resources out there.

Some peeps say that while it's a solid intro, it might not go deep enough for those FAANG (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google) interviews.

That's where books like "Algorithm Design Manual" come in, teaching you the math behind data structures and algorithms to really nail those tough questions.

But don't get it twisted, "Elements of Programming Interviews" is also a banger.

It's super technical and great for prepping those hardcore coding questions. The downside? It might not cover other important stuff like system design or dealing with behavioral questions.

That's where "Cracking the Coding Interview" shines, giving you a well-rounded approach to acing those interviews.

Of course, books alone won't cut it.

You gotta put in that practice time too. That's where sites like LeetCode and Interviewing.io come in clutch, letting you grind coding challenges and mock interviews.

The combination of a solid book like "Cracking the Coding Interview" and hands-on practice is key to landing that dream job.

  1. Main idea: "Cracking the Coding Interview" by Gayle Laakmann McDowell is a highly regarded resource.
  2. Secondary resources: Don't overlook other books like "Algorithm Design Manual" for deeper insights.
  3. Alternative option: "Elements of Programming Interviews" is highly technical but may not cover everything.
  4. Complementary practice: Sites like LeetCode and Interviewing.io are essential for practicing coding challenges and mock interviews.

Fill this form to download every syllabus from Nucamp.

And learn about Nucamp's Coding Bootcamps and why aspiring developers choose us.

*By checking "I Agree", you are opting-in to receive information, including text messages from Nucamp. You also agree to the following Terms of use, SMS Terms of use & Privacy Policy. Reply STOP to stop receiving text messages.

Real-Life Success Stories

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When it comes to cracking those coding interviews, the book "Cracking the Coding Interview" is a total gamechanger.

Just check out these real-life success stories that'll make you wanna grab a copy ASAP.

  • Success Story 1: This gal named Lisa Martinez, who's a software engineer at Apple, credited the book for helping her nail the interviews at tech giants like Apple, Facebook, and Bloomberg. She spilled all the deets on how she prepped with coding algorithm practice from the book and websites like LeetCode.
  • Success Story 2: Another coding warrior shared their journey on Reddit, saying the book's mock questions and problem-solving strategies gave them the confidence to crush those nerve-wracking interviews and land their dream gig.

It's not just individuals shouting out the book's praises.

According to a survey, a whopping 78% of people saw a major boost in their interview success rates after using "Cracking the Coding Interview" as their study guide.

With real-world coding challenges from companies like Netflix, Facebook, and Google, plus insights on system design and offer negotiation, this book is like having a personal coding mentor in your corner.

If you're ready to level up your interview game and score that sweet tech job, you know what to do.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of the Book

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"Cracking the Coding Interview" is like the holy grail for nailing those coding interviews, but you gotta know how to use it effectively.

First off, focus on the core chapters like Arrays, Linked Lists, Trees, and Graphs - that's where the real meat is. You can either dive deep into one topic at a time or rotate through them, whatever floats your boat.

But don't just rely on the book alone, industry pros recommend supplementing it with other resources like online courses and tutorials.

Now, let's talk about the OG herself, Gayle Laakmann McDowell.

This lady knows her stuff, having worked for tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. Her book is like a cheat code for simplifying your coding interview prep, with 189 real-world problems, solutions, and proven strategies to tackle any algorithm question thrown your way.

But don't just take my word for it, check out the rave reviews and testimonials from peeps who landed their dream jobs after using this book.

And if you're still not convinced, the stats don't lie - over 500 pages of in-depth technical knowledge and 150 programming questions to help you level up your coding skills.

Just remember to put in the work, and you'll be crushing those interviews like a boss!

Fill this form to download every syllabus from Nucamp.

And learn about Nucamp's Coding Bootcamps and why aspiring developers choose us.

*By checking "I Agree", you are opting-in to receive information, including text messages from Nucamp. You also agree to the following Terms of use, SMS Terms of use & Privacy Policy. Reply STOP to stop receiving text messages.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the overall reception of 'Cracking the Coding Interview'?

'Cracking the Coding Interview' by Gayle Laakmann McDowell is highly regarded with a solid 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 9,000 global ratings. It is praised for its comprehensive coverage of 189 programming questions and solutions, as well as insider tips on impressing interviewers.

What are some positive aspects of the book?

The book is noted for its thorough and step-by-step walkthroughs of problems, offering expert tips and tricks from industry professionals. It covers everything from basic to advanced topics, making it an essential resource for aspiring techies looking to master coding interviews.

What are some criticisms of 'Cracking the Coding Interview'?

Some users find the book overwhelming, especially beginners. Criticisms include the theoretical nature and complexity of some coding examples and practice problems. Suggestions for improvement include more detailed walkthroughs, real-world coding examples, and visual aids like diagrams.

How does 'Cracking the Coding Interview' compare to other interview prep books?

'Cracking the Coding Interview' is considered highly technical and well-rounded, focusing not only on coding challenges but also system design and behavioral questions. However, other resources like 'Algorithm Design Manual' offer deeper insights into the math behind data structures and algorithms.

Can you share real-life success stories from using the book?

Many individuals, including a software engineer at Apple named Lisa Martinez, have credited the book for their success in landing jobs at top tech companies. According to a survey, 78% of users saw a major boost in their interview success rates after using 'Cracking the Coding Interview' as their study guide.

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Chevas Balloun

Director of Marketing & Brand

Chevas has spent over 15 years inventing brands, designing interfaces, and driving engagement for companies like Microsoft. He is a practiced writer, a productivity app inventor, board game designer, and has a builder-mentality drives entrepreneurship.