Introduction to DSA in Python
What is DSA?
Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) are fundamental concepts in computer science, essential
for efficient problem-solving. Data structures organize data efficiently, while algorithms are
step-by-step methods for performing tasks or solving problems.
Why Learn DSA?
● Efficient data management
● Optimized solutions
● Building scalable applications
Complexity Analysis
Analyzing the efficiency of algorithms is crucial for writing optimized code. The primary metrics
are:
● Time Complexity: How runtime grows with input size.
● Space Complexity: How memory usage grows with input size.
Big O Notation
Big O notation is used to express the upper bound of an algorithm's complexity. It helps
measure the worst-case scenario. Some common complexities are:
● O(1) - Constant time
● O(n) - Linear time
● O(log n) - Logarithmic time
● O(n^2) - Quadratic time
Python Basics for DSA
Before diving into DSA, it’s important to understand Python’s data types and structures:
● Lists: Dynamic arrays that can store mixed data types.
● Dictionaries: Key-value pairs for quick lookups.
● Sets: Unordered collections with unique elements.
● Tuples: Immutable sequences.
Recursion
Recursion is a technique where a function calls itself. It’s used for tasks that can be broken
down into similar subproblems.
Example:
def factorial(n):
if n == 0:
return 1
return n * factorial(n - 1)
Pros of Recursion:
● Elegant and simple code
● Naturally handles problems like tree traversal
Cons of Recursion:
● Can lead to stack overflow
● May be less efficient than iterative solutions
Conclusion
Mastering DSA with Python enhances your problem-solving skills and makes your code
efficient. In the next document, we will dive into linear data structures like arrays and lists.