8 Best Data Structures and Algorithms Books to Read in 2024

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Data structures and algorithms play a major role in computer science education. To become a successful software engineer one must master the data structures and algorithms. So here we come up with the 8 best Data Structures and Algorithms Books that will help one to master the concepts.

A data structure is used to store and organize data in a virtual system. Sequences of numbers or tables of data are the best examples of data structures. An algorithm is a sequence of steps executed by a computer that solves a particular problem and transforms it into a target output.

When these two i.e data structures and algorithms come together it helps programmers to develop whatever computer programs they’d like. They are the fundamentals of software development.

Why Data Structures and Algorithms?

Big tech giants like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, etc use data structures and algorithms for their hiring process.

Data structures and Algorithms help in the development of Problem-Solving Skills in a developer. Therefore, the selection of the right Data Structures and Algorithms books can help one excel in this process. They are fantastic ways to learn this useful area of computer science

 8 Best Data Structures and Algorithms Books

So here are the 8 best data structures and algorithms books one must read in 2024 to learn these essential programming skills and excel in the field of software development.

1)Introduction to algorithms

Authors: Thomas H. Cormen, Charles E. Leiserson, Ronald L. Rivest, Clifford Stein

Publisher: The MIT Press

Pages: 1292

Language: English

First Published:2nd February 2010

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What is good about the book?

This Data Structures and Algorithms book is one of the most detailed books about algorithms that covers not only the theory but also the practice of creating algorithms. It is often referred to as the bible of algorithms. The covered topics in this book are heapsort, quicksort, graph algorithms, NP-completeness, and string matching. It is written in pseudocode which is easy to understand.

Features

• One of the ideal textbooks for Computer Science (CS) students
• Many exercises with solutions for practice.
• It is  also accompanied by online lectures from MIT

Recommendation

As said this book is not suitable for beginners so this book should be read only when one has a good hold over basic data structures like Arrays, Strings, Linked Lists, Stacks, and Queues.

2)Data Structures and Algorithms Made Easy

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Author: Narasimha Karumanchi

Publisher: CareerMonk Publications

Pages: 426

Language: English

First Published:29th December 2011

What is good about the book?

This is one of the best books on Data Structures and Algorithms books. It is a beginner-friendly book that covers the fundamentals of data structures and algorithmic solutions. It is good for those who want to learn Data Structures and algorithms from the basic level to a decent level.

Some of the topics that are good for the beginner level covered in the book are algorithm design techniques, string algorithms, hashing, priority queues, heaps, and more. 

Features

• All the examples are written in the C programming language
• One requires  to know the  basic of Math
• This book is good for interview preparation

Recommendation

This book can be read by anyone who is at a beginner level or an intermediate level of knowing programming concepts.

3. Grokking Algorithms

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Author: Aditya Bhargava

Publisher: Manning

Pages: 256

Language: English

First Published:30th May 2016

What is good about this book

Grokking Algorithms is one of the best books on Data Structures and Algorithms books. It serves as a fully illustrated guide that helps to learn the application of common algorithms to practical problems. Each carefully presented example includes helpful diagrams and fully annotated code samples in Python One will learn Dijkstra’s algorithms, k-nearest neighbors, breadth-first search, and more. With 400+ images, it’s a great choice for visual learners. Compared to other books it is relatively short and also easy to read.

Features

• All examples are accompanied by illustrations
• Code samples are python based

Recommendation

It is a good book for beginners and non -programmers. By the end of this book, one will master widely applicable algorithms as well as how and when to use them.

4. Introduction to Algorithms: A Creative Approach

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Author: Udi Manber

Publisher: Addison-Wesley

Pages: 478

Language: English

First Published:1st January 1989

What is good about this book?

This book is a well-regarded book for learning algorithms with clear explanations and a creative approach to teaching algorithms. The topics it covers are search algorithms, sorting, and graph algorithms, making it one of the best choices in algorithms books.

It also covers Big-O notation, algebraic and numeric algorithms, reductions, and parallel algorithms. One will also know the creative aspect of algorithm design.

Features

• Each Chapter is followed by exercises
• A good resource for  CS students.

Recommendations

This book teaches how the most relevant algorithms work. It is good for beginners.

5. The Algorithm Design Manual

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Author: Steven S. Skiena

Publisher: Springer

Pages: 748

Language: English

First Published:13th October 2010

What is good about this book?

This is one of the best algorithm books. It intends to provide access to combinatorial algorithm technology. The book is made up of two parts, the first teaches one how to design and analyze algorithms, while the second contains an implementation of common algorithm problems. The topic it covers is binary search, weighted graph algorithms, transitive closure and reduction, range search, and modern algorithms like computational geometry, multithreaded algorithms, and graph theory.

Features

• Exercises accompany “job interview problems” from major software companies
• Highlighted take-home lesson boxes that emphasize essential concepts
• Actual code (written in C) as well as pseudo-code used for many algorithms

 Recommendations

This book serves as great reference material for CS students and is ideal for intermediate and advanced learners.

6. Algorithms in a Nutshell

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Authors: George T. Heineman, Gary Pollice, Stanley Selkow

Publisher: O’Reilly Media

Pages: 390

Language: English

First Edition:29 March 2016

What is Good about this book?

This book on algorithms describes a large number of existing algorithms that helps programmer to select and implement the right algorithm as per their needs. We can say that the focus of the book is on application, rather than theory. Efficient code solutions in several programming languages are given in this book that one can easily adapt to as per the need of their project.  Sequential search, binary search, hashes, and also some advanced topics like the Jarvis March and RSA algorithm are the key highlights of this book.

The code samples in this book are covered in various programming languages, including Java, C, C++, and Python. Also one gets implementation details for each of these languages.

Features

• Features many helpful diagrams
• Includes various languages, including pseudocode for examples
• Ideal for beginners and CS students

Recommendations

It covers what, why, and how information about algorithms. In other words, this book has just the right amount of information .It serves as an excellent reference for both the beginner and seasoned Engineer wanting a refresh. 

7. Data Structures and Algorithms in Java

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Author: Robert Lafore

Publisher: Sams Publishing

Pages: 800

Language: English

First Publication: 15th November 2002

What is good about this book?

This is one of the best books on Data Structures and Algorithms books. It is easy to read and understand. With clear and simple example programs and the programs demonstrating in graphical form what data structures look like and how they operate this book becomes one of the best choices for beginners. This book offers clear explanations The topics that the book covers are arrays and strings and sorting algorithms like heap sort and merge sort. In addition, it also covers useful data structures like hash tables, 2-3-4 trees, and more.

Features

• Assumes knowledge of Java 
• Many diagrams and illustrations.
• Each chapter is accompanied by Quizzes and experiments
• It is rated as Amazon Best Seller in “Data Structure and Algorithms”

Recommendations

This book is very beneficial for new learners of data structures and algorithms. It makes one understand the topics from a very basic level.

8. Advanced Data Structures

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Author: Peter Brass

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Pages: 474 

Language: English

1st Edition 8th September 2008

What is good about this book?

This book is one of the best books on Data Structures and Algorithms Books. It is a graduate-level book that explains the implementation and analysis of data structures as a specialized topic in applied algorithms. It specifies the efficient ways to realize query operations and the history of various structures. This data structures book covers topics like search trees, heaps, hash tables, union-find structures, and dynamization with in-depth explanations.

Features

• Code samples 
• Suitable for advanced learners in C
• 500+ references

Recommendation

This book is extremely helpful and beneficial to those who want to learn advanced data structure in depth. The code implementations in the book are in c/c++ .It’s good for those who are concerned about memory management.

Apart from books one can also join an online course to get a hold on the subject.

Henry Harvin Data Science Course

The data Science course of Henry Harvin is one of the finest courses in South Asia.

Features

• 40-Hours Live Virtual Training
• CDS Certification
• Study Material
• Recorded Videos of the Session
• Hallmark of CDS next to your name. For Ex: Megha Rai (CDS)
• 1-Yr Gold Membership of Henry Harvin

Conclusion

Data structures and algorithms are important aspects of computer science. It is important to have a solid understanding of all the concepts. This article has covered the 8 best data structures and algorithms books you need to read in 2024 to learn about this essential discipline. But before going through these books consider one suggestion. One should try sticking to one book at a time and then proceed further with other books to avoid confusion and chaos.

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