Overview

This is the third course in the Amazon Junior Software Developer Professional Certificate. In this course, you will gain a deep understanding of various fundamental data structures and algorithms essential for building efficient and scalable software solutions. Starting with Advanced Data Structures, you'll explore arrays, ArrayLists, linked lists, stacks, queues, and maps, understanding their implementations, operations, advantages, and use cases. Moving on to Searching and Sorting Algorithms, you'll manipulate essential algorithms like linear and binary search, as well as various sorting algorithms, including bubble sort, insertion sort, selection sort, merge sort, and quick sort. You will grasp the theoretical concepts and implement these algorithms in Java, gaining hands-on experience in algorithmic problem-solving. Additionally, you will be introduced to basic testing methodologies using JUnit testing, test cases, and test-driven development, ensuring the quality and reliability of your code. By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills required to design efficient algorithms, manipulate complex data structures, and write robust, high-performance Java applications After completing this course, you’ll be able to: • Identify and implement basic data structures and algorithms in Java. • Analyze the efficiency and performance of data structures and algorithms in Java applications. • Identify and apply principles of recursion in Java to solve complex problems. • Implement search and sorting algorithms in Java to optimize data processing and retrieval.

Syllabus

Data structures

In this module, you'll delve into fundamental data structures in Java, including Arrays, ArrayLists, LinkedLists, Stacks, and Queues. You'll start by understanding the basics of Arrays, focusing on their efficiency and limitations. Then, explore ArrayLists and LinkedLists to learn how these dynamic data structures offer flexibility in managing collections of data. You'll also cover Stacks and Queues, mastering their use in scenarios that require Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) and First-In-First-Out (FIFO) operations, respectively. This module equips you with essential skills to effectively implement and utilize these data structures in real-world applications.

Searching and sorting algorithms

In this module, you'll explore advanced algorithms in Java, focusing on efficient data management and retrieval techniques. You'll begin with HashMap, TreeMap, and LinkedHashMap, learning how these structures optimize data storage and access. Then, you'll dive into searching algorithms, mastering both Linear and Binary Search for quick data retrieval. The module also covers a range of sorting algorithms, including Bubble, Insertion, and Selection Sort, as well as more advanced techniques like Merge Sort and Quick Sort. This module equips you with the skills to implement and optimize algorithms for enhanced application performance.

Basic Testing

In this module, you'll explore essential software testing practices, covering both manual and automated testing. You'll begin with the fundamentals of software testing, understanding its importance in ensuring code quality. Next, you'll dive into version control with Git and GitHub, learning how to manage and collaborate on code efficiently. The module also covers JUnit Testing, where you'll gain hands-on experience writing and executing test cases in Java. Finally, you'll delve into Test-Driven Development (TDD), mastering the approach of writing tests before code to ensure robust and maintainable software development.

Final project and assessment: Data structures and algorithms

In this module, you'll apply your knowledge of data structures and algorithms to a small project, allowing you to solve real-world problems efficiently. You'll start by selecting appropriate data structures like Arrays, LinkedLists, or HashMaps for the project's requirements. As you progress, you'll implement algorithms for tasks such as searching, sorting, and managing data flows. The project will challenge you to optimize your solutions for performance and scalability, reinforcing your understanding of how to integrate data structures and algorithms into practical applications. This hands-on experience will solidify your skills in developing efficient and effective code.