The motivation for writing this book was the lack of resources available about data structures and algorithms written in JavaScript. This was strange to me because today many of the job opportunities for software development require knowledge of JavaScript; it is the only language that can be used to write the entire stack, including the front-end, mobile (native and hybrid) platforms, and back-end. It is crucial for JavaScript developers to understand how data structures work and how to design algorithms to build applications.

Therefore, this book aims to teach data structure and algorithm concepts from computer science for JavaScript rather than for the more typical Java or C++. Because JavaScript follows the prototypal inheritance pattern, unlike Java and C++ (which follow the inheritance pattern), there are some changes in writing data structures in JavaScript. The classical inheritance pattern allows inheritance by creating a blueprint-like form that objects follow during inheritance. However, the prototypal inheritance pattern means copying the objects and changing their properties.

This book first covers fundamental mathematics for Big-O analysis and then lays out the basic JavaScript foundations, such as primitive objects and types. Then, this book covers implementations and algorithms for fundamental data structures such as linked lists, stacks, trees, heaps, and graphs. Finally, more advanced topics such as efficient string search algorithms, caching algorithms, and dynamic programming problems are explored in great detail.

Explore data structures and algorithm concepts and their relation to everyday JavaScript development. A basic understanding of these ideas is essential to any JavaScript developer wishing to analyze and build great software solutions.  

You'll discover how to implement data structures such as hash tables, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, and graphs. You'll also learn how a URL shortener, such as bit.ly, is developed and what is happening to the data as a PDF is uploaded to a webpage. This book covers the practical applications of data structures and algorithms to encryption, searching, sorting, and pattern matching.

It is crucial for JavaScript developers to understand how data structures work and how to design algorithms. This book and the accompanying code provide that essential foundation for doing so. With JavaScript Data Structures and Algorithms you can start developing your knowledge and applying it to your JavaScript projects today.

What You'll Learn

• Review core data structure fundamentals: arrays, linked-lists, trees, heaps, graphs, and hash-table
• Review core algorithm fundamentals: search, sort, recursion, breadth/depth first search, dynamic programming, bitwise operators
• Examine how the core data structure and algorithms knowledge fits into context of JavaScript explained using prototypical inheritance and native JavaScript objects/data types
• Take a high-level look at commonly used design patterns in JavaScript

Who This Book Is For

Existing web developers and software engineers seeking to develop or revisit their fundamental data structures knowledge; beginners and students studying JavaScript independently or via a course or coding bootcamp.