Coding Interview University

Free

A complete computer science study plan to become a software engineer.

FreeFree tier

Type

Open Source

Visit Website GitHub (40 stars)

About Coding Interview University

Coding Interview University is a comprehensive, multi-month study plan for software engineering interviews at major technology companies like Amazon, Google, Facebook, and Microsoft. Originally created by John Washam as a personal to-do list, it grew into an extensive open-source resource covering algorithmic complexity (Big-O), data structures (arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, hash tables, trees, graphs), sorting algorithms, recursion, dynamic programming, design patterns, combinatorics, probability, NP-completeness, and more. The plan also includes guidance on choosing a programming language, recommended books, coding question practice, and a daily study schedule. Washam himself used the plan to land a job as a Software Development Engineer at Amazon after studying 8–12 hours per day for several months. The repository is actively maintained, includes translations into numerous languages, and is designed for self-taught learners or those seeking a structured path to software engineering roles.

Key Features

Step-by-step study plan covering algorithmic complexity (Big-O), data structures (arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, hash tables, trees, graphs), sorting, recursion, dynamic programming, design patterns, combinatorics, probability, and NP-completeness

Focuses on topics needed for technical interviews at Amazon, Google, Facebook, and Microsoft

Includes recommended books, videos, and coding practice resources

Provides a daily study schedule and guidance on how to use the plan effectively

Translated into multiple languages (e.g., Spanish, Japanese, Russian, Bengali, Chinese, and more)

Open-source and community-driven with contributions and improvements over 2,500 commits

Pros & Cons

Pros

Comprehensive curriculum covering essential computer science topics for interviews
Free and open-source, accessible to anyone with coding experience
Created by a self-taught engineer who successfully landed a job at Amazon using the plan
Active community with frequent updates, translations, and additional resources
Flexible structure allowing learners to adapt to their own pace and schedule

Cons

Requires a significant time commitment (the author studied 8–12 hours per day for several months)
May include more information than necessary for some interviews (author notes he wasted time on certain topics)
Not suitable for frontend engineering, full-stack development, or other specialized roles
Assumes prior basic coding knowledge (variables, loops, functions); not for absolute beginners

Best For

Preparing for software engineering technical interviews at large tech companiesSelf-studying computer science fundamentals for career transition into software engineeringStructuring a multi-month learning roadmap for aspiring software engineersSupplementing formal computer science education with interview-focused preparation

FAQ

What is Coding Interview University?

It is a multi-month study plan for becoming a software engineer at a large company, covering computer science topics needed for technical interviews. It was created by John Washam and is hosted on GitHub.

Who is this study plan for?

It is for individuals with some coding experience (variables, loops, methods/functions) who want to prepare for software engineering interviews at companies like Amazon, Google, Facebook, and Microsoft. It is not for frontend or full-stack development roles.