Data structures and algorithms at top tech companies

Question

Why do top tech companies like FANG require people to know data structures and algorithms during the recruitment process even though you may not even use them on the job?

Answer 1

Konrad for development of any new things data structure and algorithms are the basics. If you have descent knowledge in algorithms then you can be an good pick for recruiters as algorithms are helpful in solving logical problem or enhancing the previous made things. One who know the basics of algorithms for them it's easy to switch in any field easily and every recruiter wants that switching in any technology fast and learn those skills fast in which basic algorithmic knowledge is key things as algorithmic part remain same only syntax is change according to technology.

in interviews they ask about algorithmic skills to know how you use that algorithmic approach in problem solving. if one can easily implement the algorithm approach to solve problem then that's good for the company as in every stage algorithm are making development efficient and interactive.

Answer 2

In simple terms just understand that big tech companies generally have to deal with lot of data so you need data structures to store and maintain them in some order so that manipulation becomes easy.

On the other hand you need algorithms to make insertion, deletion and retrieval operations efficient based on the time and space complexity of the algorithm used.

Just imagine how well the data's are structured and what algorithm is used in google search engine that it returns the link you are looking for in no time.