An Intuition-First Approach to Learning and Teaching Data Structures and Algorithms

This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by lusayo_ny

As the post says, I've written an article on an alternative approach to learning about data structures and algorithms that may come more intituively to some (it came more intutively to me). I tried to post the full article here, but I keep running into some JSON error so I assume it's too long. I'll give a brief summary and encourage you to read the rest on my blog page if you're interested.

So basically, I've developed a personal mental model for approaching data structures and algorithms that's divided into the three sections:

• Foundational Data Models

• Abstract Data Types

• Algorithmic Techniques

These three serve as the building blocks for the way I understand data structures and algorithms and the way that I would teach someone if I had to tutor them. Let's get into what each of these actually mean.

Foundational Data Models are basically indexed data structures, and pointer based data structures. Every other data structure that you would learn about falls under Abstract Data Types. And I've also classified the algorithmic techniques we use for DSA questions into four broad categories.

If this sounds like something you're interested in, here's the link to my blog post: https://projectsayo.hashnode.dev/leap-before-you-look-a-mental-model-for-data-structures-and-algorithms.

Please provide feedback if you found the article interesting.

Thank you.

This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by lusayo_ny

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lusayo_ny | Sciencx (2025-08-09T04:13:42+00:00) An Intuition-First Approach to Learning and Teaching Data Structures and Algorithms. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2025/08/09/an-intuition-first-approach-to-learning-and-teaching-data-structures-and-algorithms/

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