What is Faangshui?
Master the Art of Coding with Balance and Precision
In the hidden repositories of ancient coders, there exists a legend whispered among the lines of legacy code: the art of Faangshui. It's said that those who master Faangshui can navigate the labyrinth of algorithms and data structures with effortless grace. As the wise Grandmaster Hashi, known as the Bridge Builder, once inscribed in cryptic comments:
"Code is not just written—it is crafted. Like wind and water, let your logic flow naturally, adapting to every challenge with clarity and control."
But enough with the legends! So, what is Faangshui really?
Welcome to the Faangshui Newsletter!
I wrote my first program solving a data structures and algorithms (DSA) coding challenge in 2004, and since then, they've been a significant part of my life. In middle and high school, tackling these challenges and winning coding competitions led to full scholarships in college. Later, mastering DSA meant landing my dream job and working alongside brilliant minds on exciting projects.
Over the past 20 years, I've not only immersed myself in learning DSA but have also been passionate about teaching it:
Mentoring Younger Students: In high school, I guided younger enthusiasts from the basics of programming to winning national programming competitions.
Helping Peers: In college, I shared my knowledge with friends and classmates, helping them succeed in their DSA classes.
Supporting Mentees: As an engineer in a FAANG company, I mentored aspiring professionals who wanted to break into FAANG+ companies, assisting them in mastering DSA to ace their coding interviews.
Throughout this journey, I've felt that something was missing. While excellent textbooks like Introduction to Algorithms (CLRS) delve deep into theory, and platforms like LeetCode provide ample practice problems, there isn't a resource that's both learner-friendly and offers a guided journey through DSA—a bridge between dense theory and scattered problems.
That's why I created the Faangshui Newsletter.
What is the Faangshui Newsletter?
The Faangshui Newsletter is my attempt to fill that gap by offering:
Insights and Preparation Guides: Strategies to approach DSA topics effectively and efficiently.
Problem Walkthroughs: Step-by-step solutions to complex challenges, explaining not just the "how" but the "why."
Industry Interviews: Conversations with experts who share their experiences, tips, and advice for navigating the tech landscape.
Interactive Elements: Opportunities for you to ask questions, participate in polls, and engage with a community of like-minded learners.
And Much More: Tips, anecdotes, and resources to make your learning journey enjoyable and fulfilling.
Whether you're aiming to join a FAANG+ company or simply wish to deepen your understanding of DSA, the Faangshui Newsletter is here to make the process engaging and fun.
The Art of Faangshui
The art of Faangshui is more than just solving puzzles to land a job at a top tech company. It's about embracing an essential part of what makes technology possible. It's about finding joy in the elegance of algorithms and the beauty of efficient code.
Just like arranging furniture for optimal energy flow in feng shui, Faangshui is about organizing your knowledge and honing your skills to achieve coding harmony. It's the balance between understanding the fundamentals and applying them creatively to solve real-world problems.
I invite you to explore this beautiful art with me. Together, we'll craft code with balance and precision, unlocking new levels of understanding and capability.
What's Next?
Decoding Time Complexities from Input Constraints
In the next issue of the Faangshui Newsletter, I'll reveal the biggest hint hidden in problem descriptions—the input constraints. Learn how to use them to deduce the required time complexity, guiding you to choose the most efficient algorithm. This technique, a staple in competitive programming, can give you a significant edge in coding interviews.
Stay tuned and prepare to transform your problem-solving approach!
Get Involved
I would love to hear from you! Feel free to reply to this email with:
Topics You're Interested In: Let me know what you'd like to learn or any challenges you're facing.
Questions: Ask anything about DSA, coding interviews, or career advice.
Feedback: Your insights will help shape future newsletters to better serve your needs.
Let's embark on this journey together!
Best regards,
Nurbo Kusmagul
Linkedin
Instagram
P.S. Know someone who would benefit from the Faangshui Newsletter? Feel free to share it with them! The more, the merrier as we build a community of learners mastering the art of code together.