The hottest Interviews Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics
Technology Made Simple 59 implied HN points 12 Oct 22
  1. The recursive function template provides a step-by-step guide to solving recursive problems, helping you avoid overwhelm and work through coding challenges smoothly.
  2. The template includes key components like checking termination cases, processing outcomes, handling recursive cases, and resetting side effects, making problem-solving structured and manageable.
  3. Isolating recursion into helper functions improves code organization, and future Technique Tuesdays may cover the power of helper functions in depth.
Technology Made Simple 59 implied HN points 21 Sep 22
  1. The problem involves finding the longest substring with the same repeated character after replacing some characters. It's about choosing characters and performing operations.
  2. The examples illustrate how to approach the problem by changing characters in the string according to the constraints given.
  3. Constraints include the length of the input string, the character constraints in the string, and the limit on character replacements.
Slack Tide by Matt Labash 123 implied HN points 21 Feb 23
  1. Appreciate wisdom in various forms, whether from religious texts like Psalms and Proverbs or from writers like Jim Harrison.
  2. Seek inspiration from those who share your passions and values, like how Harrison connected with elements of nature, writing, and indulgence.
  3. Embrace balance and truth, even in indulgence, as advocated by Harrison's views on drinking and facing life's challenges with humility.
Technology Made Simple 59 implied HN points 13 Sep 22
  1. The Rubber Duck Method is a powerful tool for debugging code, helping identify both logical and runtime errors as you explain your code to a rubber duck.
  2. Speaking out loud while explaining your thought process can help you make connections and insights, preventing your brain from skipping steps and making more errors.
  3. In interviews, treating your interviewer as a rubber duck by verbalizing your thoughts can improve your problem-solving skills and communication, impressing the interviewer.
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Unpopular Front 23 implied HN points 10 Mar 24
  1. The newsletter featured content related to the author's family history and brief updates due to an upcoming project deadline.
  2. There's mention of interviews the author did about a book, alongside links to those interviews for readers to check out.
  3. The post explores a group called Society for American Civic Renewal, revealing its vision and prominent members' profiles, which is discussed in detail.
Technology Made Simple 79 implied HN points 30 Mar 22
  1. BFS and DFS algorithms are foundational and crucial for various graph traversal problems, forming the basis for more complicated algorithms.
  2. Topological Sort, Djikstra's Algorithm, and A* are important graph traversal algorithms to master, especially for weighted graphs and AI applications like self-driving cars.
  3. For determining the correct graph traversal algorithm, identify if you need to find the shortest path (use BFS or A* for unweighted/weighted graphs), or if you need to visit the complete graph (use DFS for problems involving the entire graph).
Technology Made Simple 39 implied HN points 09 Nov 22
  1. Brain teasers in interviews may seem simple but can be tricky to solve because of their deceptive simplicity.
  2. When stuck on a problem, look for something familiar to latch onto and analyze it in depth to gain clarity on possible solutions.
  3. Talking out loud about the problem can help make connections, leading to better problem-solving and understanding.
Trusted 19 implied HN points 06 Apr 23
  1. Italy has banned the use of ChatGPT accusing OpenAI of unlawful data collection.
  2. President Biden emphasizes the importance of discussing the risks and benefits of AI, calling for responsible product development.
  3. The U.S. government currently maintains a lighter touch on AI regulation compared to the EU.
Technology Made Simple 59 implied HN points 29 Mar 22
  1. Graphs can be seen from various perspectives: charts and plots (stats), maps with complex algorithms (graph theory), and adjacency lists for coding. Understanding these perspectives is crucial for effective use of graphs.
  2. Identifying whether a problem could be a graph problem involves recognizing the entities (nodes), relationships (edges), and weights in the context of a system. This spotting framework helps in solving graph-related problems efficiently.
  3. Practicing graph spotting as a skill involves starting with easy problems to identify graph components quickly. Familiarity with graphs and the ability to spot them easily is crucial for solving graph problems in interviews.
Harnessing the Power of Nutrients 59 implied HN points 23 Jun 22
  1. The content of the post consists of interviews, debates, and discussions on various topics, providing a platform for fruitful conversations.
  2. The platform includes diverse conversations like debates on health databases, discussions on nutrition in medical schools, and interviews on unconventional medicine.
  3. Experts and researchers engage in panel discussions and debates, offering insights on a range of subjects from glycine to herd immunity.
Technology Made Simple 39 implied HN points 17 Aug 22
  1. The problem of searching a 2D matrix, like Problem 52 with Microsoft, requires logical thinking rather than complex algorithms.
  2. In the problem, diligently understanding the matrix properties and basic algebra can lead to a solution.
  3. The problem scenario involves searching for a specific value in an integer matrix with sorted rows, making it crucial to spot the required insights for efficient searching.
Technology Made Simple 39 implied HN points 10 Aug 22
  1. The problem highlighted focuses on determining if a number is a happy number through a specific process involving the sum of squares of its digits.
  2. A happy number reaches 1 through the process described, whereas some numbers loop endlessly without reaching 1.
  3. The post also mentions a newsletter aimed at helping individuals succeed in tech interviews by providing valuable resources and techniques.
Technology Made Simple 39 implied HN points 09 Aug 22
  1. Optimizing the power function using logarithmic time can be a game-changer, making computations quicker and efficient.
  2. Understanding and applying mathematical tricks like leveraging even and odd numbers can significantly reduce the number of instructions needed to solve a problem.
  3. Learning to optimize algorithms using divide and conquer techniques, such as in the power function example, can enhance problem-solving skills and overall coding proficiency.
Technology Made Simple 39 implied HN points 24 Jul 22
  1. To ace System Design Interviews, read/watch more system design mock interviews on YouTube, engineering blogs, and learn about important technologies/concepts.
  2. When designing a system like the backend for Google Photos, start with domain analysis, note requirements (functional and non-functional), expected load/performance, and user profiles for valuable solutions.
  3. Engage with the content you find helpful by liking, sharing, and offering feedback to creators. It helps them reach more people and improve their work.
Technology Made Simple 39 implied HN points 21 Jul 22
  1. Understanding the concept of valid parentheses is crucial in coding interviews to solve classic problems like determining if a string of brackets is valid.
  2. Key rules for valid parentheses involve closing the brackets in the correct order and ensuring that the opening and closing brackets match.
  3. Developing an algorithm to validate parentheses involves utilizing the Last In, First Out (LIFO) principle with stacks to track opening and closing brackets.
Technology Made Simple 59 implied HN points 09 Feb 22
  1. Create a basic sentence checker that validates sentences based on specific rules like capitalization, punctuation, and spacing.
  2. The sentence must start with a capital letter, have proper lowercase letters, separators, and terminal marks, and contain single spaces between words.
  3. Validation criteria include starting with a capital, having proper case usage, correct punctuation, and spacing. The sentence must end with a terminal mark following a word.
Technology Made Simple 39 implied HN points 05 Jul 22
  1. Knowing when to sort your input is crucial in certain coding problems. The Chocolate Milk Rule helps in identifying when sorting can lead to the solution.
  2. The Chocolate Milk Rule works when the solutions can be filtered based on ordering and when solutions are generated from input subsets. It can be applied in various scenarios like 3 Sum, 2 Sum Sorted, and even Search.
  3. Sorting the input makes it easier to filter solutions based on their magnitude. This simplifies the process of finding solutions to coding problems.
Technology Made Simple 39 implied HN points 26 May 22
  1. Identifying a 'celebrity' in a group where everyone knows them but they know no one involves a logic puzzle with time complexity considerations.
  2. A key to solving the 'celebrity' problem efficiently is using the 'knows' method and a strategy to identify the person in O(N) time.
  3. Engaging with the author's content can involve liking posts, participating in surveys, or supporting them via Substack features.
Fight to Repair 39 implied HN points 13 Apr 22
  1. The podcast 'What the Fix?!' will focus on news analysis and interviews regarding the right to repair movement, featuring key figures in the fight.
  2. The right to repair movement is expanding beyond just repairing screens; it's becoming part of a larger conversation on creating a sustainable economy.
  3. The podcast will offer premium features for paid subscribers, including access to additional content and the chance to participate in live recordings.
Technology Made Simple 39 implied HN points 04 May 22
  1. The Single Responsibility Principle in software engineering emphasizes that classes and modules should have only one distinct responsibility. This helps in making code easier to maintain and understand.
  2. Implementing the Single Responsibility Principle can lead to benefits such as easier code changes, simplified debugging, and smoother testing processes.
  3. In coding interviews, applying Single Responsibility by breaking down complex problems into smaller, focused components can help in solving questions methodically and efficiently, boosting problem-solving abilities.
Technology Made Simple 39 implied HN points 29 Apr 22
  1. Practice the skills mentioned in your interviews frequently to make problem-solving easier.
  2. Understanding the properties of numbers like knowing how values affect the sum can help in solving coding problems effectively.
  3. Sorting the input array can be crucial in solving problems where solutions need to be filtered based on certain properties of the input.
Technology Made Simple 39 implied HN points 27 Mar 22
  1. Google Foobar challenge consists of multiple levels and is invite-only, offering a chance for an onsite interview at Google.
  2. The challenge is designed like an infiltration story with lengthy, complex questions that require googling concepts and filtering out irrelevant information to solve.
  3. Passing the first 3 levels is relatively easier, but the final 2 stages demand specific knowledge of high-level concepts and a well-thought-out game plan for success.
Technology Made Simple 39 implied HN points 23 Mar 22
  1. Estimating time complexity before fully solving a problem can act as a guide in coding interviews, especially when time-constrained.
  2. Estimating complexity helps in ensuring close-to-optimal solutions and deciding whether to continue optimizing or move on to the next question.
  3. Develop intuition and technical knowledge to effectively use this technique, but remember to focus on basics first if you're new to this approach.
Technology Made Simple 19 implied HN points 11 Nov 22
  1. The problem discussed is about grouping anagrams, which involves rearranging the letters of a word or phrase to form another word or phrase.
  2. An example input is given with an array of strings and the expected output of grouping the anagrams together.
  3. Constraints for the input strings and a link to test solutions are included in the post.
Technology Made Simple 39 implied HN points 15 Feb 22
  1. Topological sort is an important concept for solving interview questions and can help with understanding various problems.
  2. Focusing on quality over quantity in coding practice and targeted improvement is key for successful Leetcode preparation.
  3. Engaging with a community, following quality resources, and practicing mock interviews can greatly enhance your coding and interview skills.
Technology Made Simple 39 implied HN points 19 Jan 22
  1. The post discusses a coding problem from Facebook/Meta about rotating a list by k elements without creating a copy.
  2. There is a mention of a premium subscription to access the solution to the problem and other high-quality breakdowns of coding problems.
  3. The post also highlights the benefits of mock interviews for job preparation and offers a free mock interview for referring paid subscribers.
Technology Made Simple 19 implied HN points 20 Jul 22
  1. The post discusses the classic coding interview problem of determining whether a string of parentheses, brackets, and braces is valid.
  2. The examples provided illustrate how to determine if a string of characters follows the rules of valid parentheses.
  3. Resources are shared for further practice, including a link to the problem on Leetcode and a survey request to help feature the publication.
Technology Made Simple 19 implied HN points 06 Jul 22
  1. The problem describes a scenario where a robot moves on an infinite plane following specific instructions and determines if it remains within a circle.
  2. The instructions for the robot include moving one unit forward, turning left or right by 90 degrees, and endlessly repeating those instructions.
  3. By understanding the movement of the robot based on the given instructions, it is possible to determine if the robot stays within a circle on the plane.
Technology Made Simple 19 implied HN points 29 Jun 22
  1. Problem 44 focuses on finding the longest substring without repeating characters, a common challenge in coding interviews.
  2. The problem involves using techniques like Two Pointers, Arrays, and Hashmaps for efficient duplicate checking.
  3. Examples provided help understand the problem, emphasizing the importance of finding unique substrings.
Technology Made Simple 19 implied HN points 22 Jun 22
  1. Greedy algorithms make decisions based on immediate benefit, without looking ahead to future consequences.
  2. To identify a greedy algorithm, look for problems that can be broken into sub-problems, where the optimal solution of each sub-problem contributes to the overall optimal solution.
  3. Improving at recognizing greedy algorithms requires practice and analysis of problems to refine your intuition.
Technology Made Simple 19 implied HN points 05 May 22
  1. Finance industry can offer high-paying jobs in Software Development due to substantial investments, but acquiring these jobs requires excelling in challenging interviews.
  2. Problem-solving questions like finding the container with the most water, such as Leetcode 11, are popular in interviews, emphasizing critical thinking and coding skills.
  3. Engaging with platforms like Substack can be beneficial for sharing knowledge and building a community by inviting feedback and participation from readers.
Technology Made Simple 19 implied HN points 28 Apr 22
  1. Understanding the 3 Sum problem is crucial for coding interviews, as it's a common question with useful problem-solving tricks.
  2. The 3 Sum problem involves finding triplets in an integer array that sum up to zero, while ensuring no duplicates in the solution set.
  3. It's important to have prior experience or knowledge to tackle the 3 Sum problem effectively during interviews.
Technology Made Simple 19 implied HN points 16 Mar 22
  1. When designing a system like Twitter, it's important to approach the problem methodically and break it down into smaller sub-problems to find solutions.
  2. System design interviews don't have strict right or wrong answers, so it's okay to focus on different aspects based on your expertise.
  3. Engaging with resources and trying to solve the problem yourself first before looking at solutions can be a valuable learning approach for system design.