Interviewers love to ask for real-life examples of these algorithms.
Tags: programming, algorithms, career, computerscience
Published: 2024-06-27 10:05:51

Hey there, fellow coder!

![Algorithms](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/fnb80f2uc3c0n3yrg8aa.png)

Whether you’re just starting out or have been programming for years, knowing key algorithms is crucial. Algorithms are the foundation of solving problems in tech.

> Let’s take a look at the top 10 algorithms every programmer should know and how they are used in the real world.


## **1. Sorting Algorithms**

![sorting](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/khl8ka2rx0f5eazotz0u.png)


**Why it’s essential**: Sorting is a fundamental task in programming. Whether you’re arranging a list of names alphabetically or ordering search results, sorting algorithms come into play.

**Common types**: Bubble Sort, Merge Sort, Quick Sort.

**Real-world application**: Quick Sort is often used in **database query optimizations** where data needs to be sorted quickly.


## **2. Search Algorithms**

![searching](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/sxzby5npechibthkyjpt.png)


**Why it’s essential**: Searching algorithms help you find an element in a data structure.

**Common types**: Binary Search, Linear Search.

**Real-world application**: Binary Search is widely used in applications where you need to search through a **sorted array quickly**, like in a phone book app.


## **3. Hashing**

![hashing](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/xk2iiwen982ganfy7rax.png)


**Why it’s essential**: Hashing helps in indexing and retrieving data efficiently.

**Common types**: Hash Tables, Hash Maps.

**Real-world application**: Hashing is used in implementing **associative arrays**, **database indexing**, and **caching mechanisms**.


## **4. Dynamic Programming**

![DP](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/9aag4ayj8teolvphg15i.png)


**Why it’s essential**: It’s used to solve complex problems by breaking them down into simpler sub problems.

**Common types**: Fibonacci Sequence, Knapsack Problem.

**Real-world application**: Dynamic programming is used in resource allocation problems, like determining the optimal way to **cut a rod into pieces to maximize profit**.


## **5. Graph Algorithms**

![Grpah](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/yeoqpbnorzqzyx9ali8p.png)


**Why it’s essential**: Graphs are used to model relationships between objects.

**Common types**: Dijkstra’s Algorithm, Depth-First Search (DFS), Breadth-First Search (BFS).

**Real-world application**: Dijkstra’s Algorithm is used in **GPS navigation systems** to find the shortest path between locations.


## **6. Greedy Algorithms**

![Greedy](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/xpvxg4zgcewvx35dnvtf.png)


**Why it’s essential**: Greedy algorithms make the locally optimal choice at each stage with the hope of finding the global optimum.

**Common types**: Huffman Coding, Prim’s Algorithm.

**Real-world application**: Huffman Coding is used in **data compression**, such as **ZIP file** formats.


## **7. Divide and Conquer**

![Divide and Conquer](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/eykpgvlxuq6v09kt5r05.png)


**Why it’s essential**: This strategy solves a problem by breaking it into smaller subproblems, solving them independently, and combining their solutions.

**Common types**: Merge Sort, Quick Sort.

**Real-world application**: Merge Sort is utilized in **external sorting algorithms**, where data that doesn’t fit into memory is sorted.


## **8. Backtracking**

![Backtracking](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/i7muu112d3hubo8676d8.png)


**Why it’s essential**: Backtracking is used for solving constraint satisfaction problems.

**Common types**: N-Queens Problem, Sudoku Solver.

**Real-world application**: Backtracking algorithms are used in **puzzle solving** and **game development** to explore possible moves.


## **9. Bit Manipulation**

![Bit Manipulation](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/j5pjph5t0ny8skflyz08.png)


**Why it’s essential**: Bit manipulation involves algorithms that work directly on bits and are crucial for low-level programming.

**Common types**: Bitwise AND, OR, XOR.

**Real-world application**: Bit manipulation is used to optimise **memory usage** and **cryptography**.


## **10. String Matching and Parsing**

![String](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/wgnpfhfatcn9xl8jiep6.png)


**Why it’s essential**: These algorithms help in searching and manipulating strings.

**Common types**: Knuth-Morris-Pratt (KMP), Rabin-Karp.

**Real-world application**: String matching algorithms are used in **search engines, DNA sequencing, and plagiarism detection**.