Data Structures and Algorithms

Language: Python

Folder and Challenge Setup

Each type of code challenge has slightly different instructions. Please refer to the notes and examples below for instructions for each DS&A assignment type.

Data Structure: New Implementation

• Create a new folder under the python level, with the name of the data structure and complete your implementation there

  • i.e. linked_list

• Implementation (the data structure "class")

  • The implementation of the data structure should match package name

    • i.e. linked_list/linked_list.py

  • Follow Python naming conventions

    class LinkedList:
      def __init__(self):
        # ... initialization code
    
      def method_name(self):
        # method body

• Tests

  • Within folder tests create a test file called test_[data_structure].py
    • i.e. tests/test_linked_list.py
    • Your tests will then need to require the data structure you're testing
      • i.e. from linked_list.linked_list import LinkedList

Data Structure: Extending an implementation

• Work within the existing data structure implementation
• Create a new method within the class that solves the code challenge
  • Remember, you'll have access to self within your class methods
• Tests
  • You will have folder named tests and within it, a test file called test_[data_structure].py
    • i.e. tests/test_linked_list.py
    • Add to the tests written for this data structure to cover your new method(s)

Code Challenge / Algorithm

Code challenges should be completed within a folder named code_challenges under the python level

• Daily Setup:
  • Create a new folder under the python level, with the name of the code challenge
    • Each code challenge assignment identifies the branch name to use, for example 'find-maximum-value'
    • For clarity, create your folder with the same name, ensuring that it's snake_cased
    • i.e. For a challenge named 'find_maximum_value', create the folder:code_challenges/find_maximum_value
  • Code Challenge Implementation
    • Each code challenge requires a function be written, for example "find maximum value"
    • Name the actual challenge file with the name of the challenge, in snake_case
      • i.e. find_maximum_value.py
    • Reminder: Your challenge file will then need to require the data structure you're using to implement
      • i.e. from linked_list.linked_list import LinkedList
    • Your challenge function name is up to you, but name something sensible that communicates the function's purpose. Obvious is better than clever
      • i.e. find_maximum_value(linked_list)
  • Tests
    • Ensure there is a tests folder at the root of project.
      • i.e. a sibling of this document.
    • within it, a test file called test_[challenge].py
      • i.e. tests/find_maximum_value.py
      • Your test file would require the challenge file found in the directory above, which has your exported function
        • i.e. from code_challenges.find_maximum_value import find_maximum_value

Running Tests

If you setup your folders according to the above guidelines, running tests becomes a matter of deciding which tests you want to execute. Jest does a good job at finding the test files that match what you specify in the test command

From the root of the data-structures-and-algorithms/python folder, execute the following commands:

• Run every possible test - pytest
• Run filtered tests - pytest -k some_filter_text
• Run in watch mode - ptw or pytest-watch