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Comment by nomy99 | Hacker News Reader

I started doing leetcode when the pandemic hit. I wanted to be ready in case I got fired and I have to do an interview... surprisingly I fell in love with it. I am one of those ppl that writes codes in their head, so I just look at a problem and go on with my day until I have a solution. Then I write it and test it out.

It's enjoyable to me, and I have been forced to learn a lot of CS concepts I had forgotten and techniques I wasn't aware of.

I don't approach it with the drudge of performance, but just as something I do now. Like other things in my life, basketball practice, namely.

I am pretty sure eventually I'll be in a position I can breeze through an interview if I really wanted to, but that's not my goal anymore out of leetcode.

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What do you love about leetcode problems? Mindset makes a huge difference.

I'm a simple man, I see "Accepted" and my solution is faster and more efficient than "X%" it makes my day. Maybe I am just the type of person who just enjoys coding for fun.

Also I forgot to mention, one of the reasons I started doing leetcode was our team started a new project in python. Having never written a line of code in it, being a javascript developer for most of my career, I needed the shortest path to proficiency. Solving a bunch of leetcode questions in python also helped me get a grip on the language.

I'm writing solutions in a couple of languages. It takes time, but helps to solidify concepts. Writing Python in a way that is compatible with statically typed languages doesn't take advantage of what Python offers but my run results lead me to believe perform better for that reason.

Also try solving a question in Python then in C++, you will notice drastic performance differences. That is also fun.

The testcases leetcode has is impressive. I know that I can never generate those cases in my spare time or with other tools, so its also enjoyable to watch your code work through it.

I'd like to also share this resource: https://labuladong.gitbook.io/algo-en

It is a systematic approach to mastering Leetcode

I sure as shit hope you don't breeze through. Why should practicing mental leetcode questions prepare you for a job interview in the real world? In my company, you wouldn't breeze through, because we don't participate in 'whiteboard culture', or maybe those sorts of companies you have self selected out of?

I'd rather breeze through a process I've no control over. Don't hate the playa, hate the game!!!

Your company isn't the only one in the world though, and the sad reality is that many, many (I'd say in the US - most) companies use leetcode interviews.

If you become a Master of Leetcode, you benefit from massive horizontal scaling that will make you ready to interview at a huge range of companies.

As the parent posted, hate the game, not the player, especially since nearly everyone here is in no position to change the game.

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