Don't learn DSA in random order

Here's the order that actually works in 2026

Tap to start →

Big O first

Learn to say how fast your code is. Every later topic uses it.

Arrays & strings

Two pointers, sliding window and prefix sum solve a huge share of easy and medium questions.

Then the big ones

Recursion, linked lists, stacks, trees, graphs, then dynamic programming.

Practise by pattern

Solve 3–5 problems per pattern, not 500 random ones.

The mistake

Jumping to dynamic programming before arrays and recursion feel easy.

Can you get it?

Tap an answer. The full video explains why.

Cheat sheet

• Big O first
• Arrays → strings → hashing
• Recursion before trees
• Graphs, then DP
• 3–5 problems per pattern

Want the full lesson?

Free DSA in Java course. Subscribe to Compiled Canvas on YouTube.