Best of Algorithms — September 2025

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   Article

   Javarevisited·36w

   25 Google Interview Questions for Software Engineers(with Resources)

   A comprehensive collection of 25 technical interview questions commonly asked at Google for software engineering positions, organized into categories including data structures and algorithms, networking and operating systems, software design, coding and programming, and behavioral questions. The post includes specific examples like finding elements in circular sorted arrays, implementing hash tables, designing distributed systems, and solving coding challenges. It also recommends preparation resources including books like 'Introduction to Algorithms' and platforms like ByteByteGo for system design practice.

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   Article

   Hacker News·36w

   The Last Days Of Social Media

   Social media platforms are increasingly flooded with AI-generated spam, bot accounts, and synthetic content that drowns out genuine human interaction. Engagement rates are plummeting as users grow exhausted with endless feeds of meaningless content optimized for clicks rather than connection. The traditional social media model is fragmenting as people migrate to smaller, private communities like Discord servers, group chats, and federated platforms. The future points toward decentralized, publicly governed digital spaces with transparent algorithms, user choice in content curation, and design patterns that prioritize intention over compulsive scrolling.

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   Article

   Hacker News·37w

   TikTok Won. Now Everything Is 60 Seconds.

   TikTok has fundamentally transformed digital culture by industrializing human attention through sophisticated algorithmic optimization. The platform's instant learning from micro-behaviors creates an uncannily perceptive recommendation system that other platforms are now copying. This shift is reshaping everything from news delivery to entertainment, education, and cultural consumption, turning content creation into hyper-specialized niches optimized for algorithmic engagement. While providing immediate satisfaction and personalized content, this model trades away sustained attention, serendipitous discovery, and the ability to engage with complex ideas that don't offer instant rewards.

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   Article

   Hacker News·34w

   Improved Map Generation

   Firaxis Games replaced their predictable fractal noise map generation system with a new Voronoi diagram-based approach for Civilization VII. The new technique creates more natural, varied maps by simulating tectonic plates and growing landmasses using configurable rules, while maintaining gameplay balance. Two new map types were introduced: Continents and Islands, and Pangea and Islands, with the system designed for future expansion and modding support.

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   Article

   The Palindrome·38w

   The Competitive Programmer's Introduction to Graph Theory

   A comprehensive introduction to graph theory fundamentals covering nodes, edges, paths, and cycles. Explains key concepts like connectivity, directed and weighted graphs, trees, node degrees, and graph coloring including bipartite graphs. Includes practical examples with visual illustrations and practice problems to reinforce learning.

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   Article

   The Palindrome·36w

   Representing Graphs

   Explores three fundamental ways to represent graphs in computer programs: edge lists, adjacency matrices, and adjacency lists. Covers how each representation handles directed, undirected, and weighted graphs, analyzing their trade-offs in terms of memory usage and operation efficiency. Edge lists excel for algorithms processing edges sequentially, adjacency matrices provide constant-time edge existence checks but require O(n²) space, while adjacency lists offer the most versatile representation for classic graph algorithms.

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   Article

   Hacker News·36w

   We traded blogs for black boxes, now we're paying for it

   Algorithmic feeds and centralized platforms have destroyed the human-driven discovery that made the early internet special. Context collapse occurs when algorithms mix unrelated audiences, leading to negative discourse and the spread of harmful content like incel terminology. The solution involves using RSS readers, federated social media, open source software, and curating your own information sources instead of relying on black-box algorithms controlled by tech companies.

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   Article

   RUBYLAND·34w

   A catalog of coding challenges

   A comprehensive catalog of different types of coding challenges, from LeetCode and algorithm practice to holiday competitions, code golf, and programming games. The author explores various categories including interview prep platforms, language-specific challenges, engineering-oriented problems, and competitive programming. While acknowledging that coding challenges can be fun and educational, the piece argues they may not be the most effective use of time for developers with limited hours or specific career goals. Instead, it suggests publicly sharing work through blog posts, open-source contributions, and community engagement as more valuable alternatives for skill development and networking.

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   Article

   Lobsters·37w

   Many Hard Leetcode Problems are Easy Constraint Problems

   Demonstrates how constraint solvers like MiniZinc can elegantly solve complex algorithmic problems that typically require advanced programming techniques. Shows practical examples including the coin change problem, stock trading optimization, and histogram rectangle finding, highlighting how constraint programming offers a more declarative approach to mathematical optimization problems compared to traditional algorithmic solutions.

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