DSA Crash Course [Part 83] - Counting Change Approach

In this lesson, Alvin explores the strategy to solving the following interview problem:

> Write a function, *counting_change*, that takes in an amount and a list of coins. The function should return the number of different ways it is possible to make change for the given amount using the coins.
>
> You may reuse a coin as many times as necessary.
>
> For example,
>
> counting_change(4, \[1,2,3\]) -&gt; 4
>
> There are four different ways to make an amount of 4:
>
> 1\. 1 + 1 + 1 + 1
>
> 2\. 1 + 1 + 2
>
> 3\. 1 + 3
>
> 4\. 2 + 2

```
counting_change(4, [1, 2, 3]) # -> 4
```

```
counting_change(8, [1, 2, 3]) # -> 10
```

```
counting_change(24, [5, 7, 3]) # -> 5
```

If you need additional support taking these DSA skills and actually applying them, take [**Alvin's**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-zablan-b73a92117/) *complete* data structures and algorithms course on [**Structy**](https://structy.net/?utm_source=taro). You can try out the concepts yourself in their interactive code editor and learn advanced DSA patterns like stack exhaustive recursion.

Use [**this link to get 20% off**](https://structy.net/purchase?promo_code=taro20) the entire Structy DSA learning experience.

Follow Alvin on LinkedIn: [**https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-zablan-b73a92117/**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-zablan-b73a92117/)

DSA Crash Course [Part 82] - Summing Squares Walkthrough

In this lesson, Alvin walks through the python implementation for the *summing_squares* problem.

Code along and test your work in the following editor workspace: <https://structy.net/problems/summing-squares?language=py>

If you need additional support taking these DSA skills and actually applying them, take [**Alvin's**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-zablan-b73a92117/) *complete* data structures and algorithms course on [**Structy**](https://structy.net/?utm_source=taro). You can try out the concepts yourself in their interactive code editor and learn advanced DSA patterns like stack exhaustive recursion.

Use [**this link to get 20% off**](https://structy.net/purchase?promo_code=taro20) the entire Structy DSA learning experience.

Follow Alvin on LinkedIn: [**https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-zablan-b73a92117/**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-zablan-b73a92117/)

DSA Crash Course [Part 77] - Max Path Sum Approach

In this lesson, Alvin explores the strategy to solving the following interview problem:

> Write a function, *max_path_sum*, that takes in a grid as an argument. The function should return the maximum sum possible by traveling a path from the top-left corner to the bottom-right corner. You may only travel through the grid by moving down or right.
>
> You can assume that all numbers are non-negative.

```
grid = [
[1, 3, 12],
[5, 1, 1],
[3, 6, 1],
]

max_path_sum(grid) # -> 18
```

```
grid = [
[1, 2, 8,  1],
[3, 1, 12, 10],
[4, 0, 6,  3],
]

max_path_sum(grid) # -> 36
```

```
grid = [
[1, 2, 8, 1],
[3, 10, 12, 10],
[4, 0, 6, 3],
]

max_path_sum(grid) # -> 39
```

If you need additional support taking these DSA skills and actually applying them, take [**Alvin's**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-zablan-b73a92117/) *complete* data structures and algorithms course on [**Structy**](https://structy.net/?utm_source=taro). You can try out the concepts yourself in their interactive code editor and learn advanced DSA patterns like stack exhaustive recursion.

Use [**this link to get 20% off**](https://structy.net/purchase?promo_code=taro20) the entire Structy DSA learning experience.

Follow Alvin on LinkedIn: [**https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-zablan-b73a92117/**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-zablan-b73a92117/)

DSA Crash Course [Part 70] - Tribonacci Walkthrough

In this lesson, Alvin walks through the python implementation for the *tribonacci* problem.

Code along and test your work in the following editor workspace: <https://structy.net/problems/tribonacci?language=py>

If you need additional support taking these DSA skills and actually applying them, take [**Alvin's**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-zablan-b73a92117/) *complete* data structures and algorithms course on [**Structy**](https://structy.net/?utm_source=taro). You can try out the concepts yourself in their interactive code editor and learn advanced DSA patterns like stack exhaustive recursion.

Use [**this link to get 20% off**](https://structy.net/purchase?promo_code=taro20) the entire Structy DSA learning experience.

Follow Alvin on LinkedIn: [**https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-zablan-b73a92117/**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-zablan-b73a92117/)

DSA Crash Course [Part 58] - Connected Components Count Walkthrough

In this lesson, Alvin walks through the python implementation for the *connected_components_count* problem.

Code along and test your work in the following editor workspace: <https://structy.net/problems/connected-components-count?language=py>

If you need additional support taking these DSA skills and actually applying them, take [**Alvin's**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-zablan-b73a92117/) *complete* data structures and algorithms course on [**Structy**](https://structy.net/?utm_source=taro). You can try out the concepts yourself in their interactive code editor and learn advanced DSA patterns like stack exhaustive recursion.

Use [**this link to get 20% off**](https://structy.net/purchase?promo_code=taro20) the entire Structy DSA learning experience.

Follow Alvin on LinkedIn: [**https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-zablan-b73a92117/**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-zablan-b73a92117/)

DSA Crash Course [Part 56] - Undirected Path Walkthrough

In this lesson, Alvin walks through the python implementation for the *undirected_path* problem.

Code along and test your work in the following editor workspace: <https://structy.net/problems/undirected-path?language=py>

If you need additional support taking these DSA skills and actually applying them, take [**Alvin's**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-zablan-b73a92117/) *complete* data structures and algorithms course on [**Structy**](https://structy.net/?utm_source=taro). You can try out the concepts yourself in their interactive code editor and learn advanced DSA patterns like stack exhaustive recursion.

Use [**this link to get 20% off**](https://structy.net/purchase?promo_code=taro20) the entire Structy DSA learning experience.

Follow Alvin on LinkedIn: [**https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-zablan-b73a92117/**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-zablan-b73a92117/)

DSA Crash Course [Part 54] - Has Path Walkthrough

In this lesson, Alvin walks through the python implementation for the *has_path* problem.

Code along and test your work in the following editor workspace: <https://structy.net/problems/has-path?language=py>

If you need additional support taking these DSA skills and actually applying them, take [**Alvin's**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-zablan-b73a92117/) *complete* data structures and algorithms course on [**Structy**](https://structy.net/?utm_source=taro). You can try out the concepts yourself in their interactive code editor and learn advanced DSA patterns like stack exhaustive recursion.

Use [**this link to get 20% off**](https://structy.net/purchase?promo_code=taro20) the entire Structy DSA learning experience.

Follow Alvin on LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-zablan-b73a92117/>

DSA Crash Course [Part 27] - Sum List Walkthrough

In this lesson, Alvin walks through the python implementation for the *sum_list* problem.

Code along and test your work in the following editor workspace: <https://structy.net/problems/sum-list?language=py>

If you need additional support taking these DSA skills and actually applying them, take [**Alvin's**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-zablan-b73a92117/) *complete* data structures and algorithms course on [**Structy**](https://structy.net/?utm_source=taro). You can try out the concepts yourself in their interactive code editor and learn advanced DSA patterns like stack exhaustive recursion.

Use [**this link to get 20% off**](https://structy.net/purchase?promo_code=taro20) the entire Structy DSA learning experience.

Follow Alvin on LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-zablan-b73a92117/>

How to Crack System Design Interviews - Part 9: Effective Communication

This video details the scoring criteria for system design interviews, focusing on scalability, reliability, and communication. We learn how to demonstrate strong technical skills and cultural fit:

- **Identify and mitigate bottlenecks:** We should proactively identify scalability and performance bottlenecks in our design and propose effective mitigation strategies.

- **Address potential failures:** We must analyze potential points of failure, including those in external systems, and explain how we would handle them.

- **Communicate clearly and effectively:** We need to present our solution in a structured and organized manner, using appropriate terminology and incorporating feedback constructively.

- **Demonstrate cultural fit:** We should align our design choices and communication style with the company's values and priorities, showcasing our understanding of their engineering culture.

- **Maintain professionalism:** We must conduct ourselves professionally throughout the interview, avoiding inappropriate jokes or comments and demonstrating openness to feedback.

[Gaurav Sen](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gkcs/) has conducted 1000s of system design interviews while working at Uber and building his [YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@gkcs) to 500K+ subscribers. His platform [InterviewReady](https://interviewready.io/?_aff=JOINTARO) combines video explainers, live Zoom classes, and an automated System Design Judge.

How to Crack System Design Interviews - Part 5: Reviewing Your Solution

This section of the system design interview focuses on identifying and evaluating trade-offs within the proposed design. Here's how we navigate this:

- **Start with non-functional requirements:** We begin by analyzing how non-functional requirements, such as durability, influence design choices and user experience.
- **Analyze access patterns:** We consider how users interact with the system, examining the frequency of different requests and their impact on optimization strategies.
- **Make conscious trade-offs:** Based on our analysis, we make deliberate trade-offs, such as potentially sacrificing immediate consistency for faster read operations.
- **Use precise language:** We use clear and established engineering terms to facilitate accurate communication and efficient use of interview time.
- **Remain adaptable:** We stay open to feedback from the interviewer and adjust our design based on their input, acknowledging their understanding of the system.

[Gaurav Sen](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gkcs/) has conducted 1000s of system design interviews while working at Uber and building his [YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@gkcs) to 500K+ subscribers. His platform [InterviewReady](https://interviewready.io/?_aff=JOINTARO) combines video explainers, live Zoom classes, and an automated System Design Judge.

Paper Reading: Enhancing Reasoning Abilities in LLMs through Geometrical Understanding

Session Led by [Lucia Mocz](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucia-mocz-ph-d/)

The advancement of large language models (LLMs) for real-world applications hinges critically on enhancing their reasoning capabilities. In this paper read, we explore the reasoning abilities of LLMs through a geometrical framework. We establish a connection between the expressive power of LLMs and the density of their self-attention graphs.

The analysis performed in this work demonstrates that the density of these self-attention graphs defines the intrinsic dimension of the inputs to the MLP blocks. In particular, it shows, through theoretical analysis and toy examples, that a higher intrinsic dimension implies a greater expressive capacity of the LLM. Additionally, it provides empirical evidence linking this geometric framework to recent advancements in methods aimed at enhancing the reasoning capabilities of LLMs.

Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding of how geometrical insights can drive improvements in AI reasoning. Whether you're an AI researcher, practitioner, or enthusiast, this talk promises to offer valuable perspectives and groundbreaking ideas.\
\
Paper: [**https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.02678**\
(Accompanying](https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.02678￼\(Accompanying) paper: [**https://arxiv.org/abs/2312.01648**](https://arxiv.org/abs/2312.01648))

What Engineers Get Wrong About Open Source (From the OSS Lead at Meta)

Open source software is not just about the code! It's about understanding and working with project maintainers to solve a problem.

Break Into Tech And Become A Software Engineer [Part 17] - The Chicken vs. The Egg

In this lesson, Brian addresses the challenge of gaining experience as a software developer when transitioning careers, offering practical solutions beyond traditional routes.

This lesson covers:

- The limitations of open source projects, highlighting their high barriers to entry and explaining why they may not be the best route for everyone
- Freelancing as a more straightforward option for gaining experience, which can lead to valuable work and opportunities
- Turning a side project into a legitimate business, providing either career validation or even a pathway to financial independence without needing a traditional job

If you need extra help breaking into tech, join Brian's exclusive, cohort-based bootcamp (just 10 students per batch). Use this special link for $800 off: <https://www.parsity.io/taro>

Connect with Brian on LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianjenney/>

Become An Open Source Master [Part 12] - Identify A First Task

We can start contributing to open source projects by looking for existing issues that we can solve. We can use the "help wanted" or "good first issue" tags to find suitable tasks. Contributing to open source projects is a great way to get involved in the community and make the project better. Check out TinyBase as an example: <https://github.com/tinyplex/tinybase/issues>

Connect with James:

- GitHub: <https://github.com/jamesgpearce>
- Twitter (X): <https://twitter.com/jamespearce>

How Managers Hire Great Engineers [Part 1] - How This Course Works

With this lesson, you’ll begin your learning journey of how to effectively manage the recruiting process to build a strong team. [John](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jwegan/) shares personal experiences and actionable insights for hiring success. We go through the course objectives, and after this course, you will:

- Understand the importance of prioritizing recruitment and building a robust candidate pipeline
- Learn how to evaluate and troubleshoot the recruiting funnel to ensure a steady flow of qualified candidates
- Discover strategies for sourcing top talent, especially when resources are limited
- Gain techniques for closing candidates who have multiple job offers, including specific tactics and phrases

Connect with John Egan on LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/jwegan/>

Clear Communication For SWEs [Part 10] - Rephrasing For Clarity

In this video, I delve into the art of rephrasing for clarity, emphasizing its significance in reaching a wider audience and maintaining engagement. Techniques like simplifying language, breaking down complex ideas, using synonyms, and restating key points are explored with practical examples. Viewers are encouraged to apply these strategies to enhance message comprehension and audience connection.

Connect with me on LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-wiens/>

Clear Communication For SWEs [Part 8] - The STAR Method 🌟

In this video, I explain the STAR method, breaking down its components - Situation, Task, Action, and Result. I highlight the benefits of using this structured approach in job interviews, performance reviews, and presentations.

Connect with me on LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-wiens/>

Grow From Senior To Staff Engineer [Part 21] - Plot Your Growth Journey

It can be overwhelming looking at all the skills you need to build to grow from senior to staff as both the breadth and depth of the skill development you need to do are massive. This lesson teaches you:

- How to tactically grow 1 step at a time from senior to staff and long-term
- What skills you should develop first to start (or continue) going down your senior to staff journey

Grow From Senior To Staff Engineer [Part 20] - Generalist

An easy way to understand what a great staff engineer looks like is that they're a "Jack of all trades, master of all". This lesson teaches you:

- What the generalist staff "archetype" is
- The different types of skills staff generalists need to be good at
- When it makes sense to become a generalist
- How generalist staff engineers grow long-term

Grow From Senior To Staff Engineer [Part 11] - Define The Roadmap

All the way to senior, engineers are almost entirely given projects to work on. This dynamic flips as you grow from senior to staff. This lesson teaches you:

- The differences between senior and staff engineers when they participate in the team roadmapping process
- The skills you need to become a leading, staff-level influence in roadmapping

Tech Career Growth Videos

Our instructional videos provide software engineers with insights needed for career growth. Masterclasses go incredibly in-depth on a specific tech topic while case studies are real examples from established engineering leaders.