Coding Interview Preparation Blog

LeetCode patterns, study plans, and interview strategies — everything you need to prepare smarter.

How to Master the Sliding Window Pattern

The sliding window technique turns O(n²) brute-force substring problems into clean O(n) solutions. Here is the mental model that makes it click.

January 20, 2026 6 min read

Dynamic ProgrammingFrameworks

A 4-Step Framework for Every DP Problem

Dynamic programming looks hard until you realise 90% of interview DP problems follow the same four-step breakdown. Here is the framework.

February 10, 2026 8 min read

GraphsBFSDFS

Graph Problems Cheat Sheet: BFS vs DFS vs Union-Find

Not sure which graph algorithm to reach for? This cheat sheet maps problem types to the right tool in under two minutes.

March 5, 2026 5 min read

Binary SearchPatterns

Binary Search on the Answer — The Most Underrated Trick

Binary search is not just for sorted arrays. The answer-space variant unlocks a whole class of "minimum/maximum satisfying a condition" problems.

March 28, 2026 7 min read

Two PointersPatterns

Two Pointers: The Complete Guide

Converging, same-direction, fast & slow — the two-pointer family is bigger than most engineers realize. Every variant, with examples.

April 15, 2026 9 min read

Study PlanPreparation

The 4-Week Coding Interview Prep Plan

A structured, pattern-first study plan for engineers with 4 weeks before an interview. Week-by-week breakdown with daily targets.

May 10, 2026 10 min read

Blind 75Study PlanNeetCode

Blind 75 vs NeetCode 150: Which List Should You Do? [2026]

Both lists dominate interview prep. The honest comparison: what each covers, what each misses, and which to do based on your timeline.

June 1, 2026 7 min read

Dynamic ProgrammingLeetCodeFAANG

30 Dynamic Programming LeetCode Problems You Must Know [2026]

DP is the most feared interview topic. This curated list of 30 problems covers every DP pattern that appears at Google, Meta, and Amazon.

June 8, 2026 10 min read

TreesBFSDFSLeetCode

Binary Tree LeetCode Problems — Every Pattern You Need [2026]

Trees appear in nearly every FAANG interview. Here's every tree pattern — DFS, BFS, LCA, BST, path problems — with the exact problems that test each one.

June 15, 2026 9 min read

System DesignInterview PrepFAANG

DSA vs System Design Interview: What to Prepare and When

Most engineers over-prepare one and bomb the other. Here's exactly what each round tests, when you'll face each, and how to split your prep time.

June 22, 2026 8 min read

PatternsLeetCodeInterview Prep

The Complete LeetCode Patterns List — 21 Patterns Explained [2026]

Stop grinding random problems. These 21 patterns cover 95% of what you'll see in coding interviews. Learn the pattern, not the problem.

June 29, 2026 12 min read

GoogleFAANGInterview Prep

How to Crack the Google Coding Interview in 2026 [Complete Guide]

Google's interview is pattern-heavy and communication-focused, with at least one graph or DP problem. Here's what to expect and how to prepare.

July 6, 2026 11 min read

HeapPriority QueuePatterns

Heap & Priority Queue Problems — Every Pattern With Examples [2026]

The heap is the secret weapon for top-K, K closest, and merge-K problems. Here's how it works and the 15 problems that cover every heap pattern.

July 13, 2026 8 min read

LeetCodeInterview PrepStudy Plan

LeetCode vs HackerRank for Interview Prep — Honest Comparison [2026]

Both platforms promise to get you hired; one is clearly better for FAANG prep. The honest breakdown of features, problem quality, and which to use.

July 19, 2026 7 min read

PythonC++Interview Prep

Python vs C++ for Coding Interviews — Which Language Should You Use? [2026]

Language choice affects interview speed, code clarity, and data structures. The definitive 2026 comparison for algorithm interviews.

July 20, 2026 8 min read

LeetCodeFAANGPatternsInterview Prep

The 50 Best LeetCode Problems for Coding Interviews [2026]

50 problems hand-picked across 10 patterns — each appeared in real FAANG interviews and gives the best return on prep time.

July 21, 2026 11 min read

BacktrackingRecursionPatterns

Backtracking Algorithms — Complete Guide With LeetCode Problems [2026]

Backtracking is just DFS with pruning. Once you see that, permutations, combinations, subsets, and N-Queens all use the same 15-line template.

July 18, 2026 9 min read

FAANGInterview PrepStudy PlanBeginner

How to Prepare for a FAANG Coding Interview [2026] — Beginner to Offer

The complete beginner-to-offer FAANG prep guide: timelines, problem lists, balancing DSA with system design, and mistakes that add weeks to prep.

July 30, 2026 12 min read

Monotonic StackStackPatternsArrays

Monotonic Stack — Complete Guide With LeetCode Problems [2026]

Monotonic stacks solve next-greater-element and histogram problems in O(n). The pattern, both variants, and the 6 problems that appear in real interviews.

July 30, 2026 9 min read

TrieData StructuresPatternsString

Trie Data Structure — Complete LeetCode Interview Guide [2026]

Tries solve prefix-matching and autocomplete in O(L) time, beating hash maps for prefix queries. Full implementation plus the 8 interview Trie problems.

July 30, 2026 10 min read

Interview ExperienceServiceNowSystem DesignPreparation

How I Cleared My ServiceNow Interview — Round-by-Round Debrief

My ServiceNow interview transcript: what each round asked, where I almost fell apart, and the exact prep system I used. First-person, dated, no fluff.

August 5, 2026 9 min read

Study StrategyPreparationPersonal Experience

5 LeetCode Prep Mistakes I Made — and What I'd Do Differently

After 8 months and 500+ problems, here are the five prep mistakes that actually cost me interviews — and the exact fixes.

August 10, 2026 7 min read

AmazonFAANGInterview PrepBehavioralLeadership Principles

Amazon Software Engineer Interview Guide 2026 — OA, Coding, System Design & LPs

Complete Amazon SDE interview guide: OA, technical rounds, on-site loop, 16 Leadership Principles with STAR examples, and high-frequency DSA topics.

September 4, 2026 18 min read

MetaFacebookFAANGInterview PrepSystem Design

Meta (Facebook) Software Engineer Interview Guide 2026 — Coding, System Design & Values

Crack the Meta SDE interview: round structure, high-yield DSA patterns, social-scale system design, and behavioral values assessment breakdown.

September 4, 2026 15 min read

Binary SearchPatternsAlgorithmsInterview Prep

Binary Search Complete Guide — Every Pattern and Template for 2026 Interviews

Master every interview binary search pattern: classic search, rotated arrays, boundary finding, and binary search on answer space with code templates.

September 4, 2026 12 min read

Union-FindGraphsPatternsInterview Prep

Union-Find (Disjoint Set Union) — Complete Guide for Coding Interviews 2026

Master Union-Find (DSU) for interviews: path compression, union by rank, cycle detection, connected components, and top FAANG problem templates.

September 4, 2026 10 min read

Prefix SumArraysPatternsInterview Prep

Prefix Sum Complete Guide — Range Queries and Subarray Problems for Interviews

Master prefix sums for coding interviews: O(1) range sum queries, subarray sum detection with hash maps, and 2D grid matrix calculations.

September 4, 2026 8 min read

GreedyAlgorithmsInterview PrepPatterns

Greedy Algorithms Guide — When to Use Greedy and How to Prove It Works

Master greedy algorithms for interviews: intuition, exchange argument proofs, interval scheduling, and the 10 most-asked FAANG greedy problems.

September 4, 2026 11 min read

MicrosoftFAANGInterview PrepSystem Design

Microsoft Software Engineer Interview Guide 2026 — Coding, System Design & Culture

Complete Microsoft SDE interview guide: OA, technical rounds, on-site loop, high-yield DSA & system design topics, and Growth Mindset culture prep.

September 4, 2026 13 min read

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