Cracking the Coding Interview

Name: Cracking the Coding Interview
Author: Gayle Laakmann McDowell

Gayle Laakmann McDowell

Now in the 6th edition, the book gives you the interview preparation you need to get the top software developer jobs. This is a deeply technical book and focuses on the software engineering skills to ace your interview.

5.5 score

#379 overall

—

Score based on developer article recommendations — not sales data or reviews.

Computer Science Backendalgorithmsdynamic-programming

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🟢 Developer Verdict

Offers focused, technical preparation for software developer interviews, particularly for roles at major tech companies.

Read this if

✓ You are preparing for rigorous technical interviews at big tech.
✓ You need to sharpen your data structures and algorithms skills.
✓ You want to practice solving common coding interview problems.

Skip this for now if

✗ You seek a broad overview of general software engineering practices.
✗ You are looking for advanced system design or architecture patterns.
✗ You are an experienced engineer not actively seeking a new job.

Developer signal: Overwhelming Consensus · 100% 2 analyzed mentions PracticalCareer ChangingWell Written

📊 Why Developers Recommend

It provides structured approaches to common coding interview problems.

Referenced by multiple developers, suggesting consistent practical value.

Valued for its practical approach — concepts connect directly to real-world engineering decisions and daily work.

Top signals: PracticalCareer ChangingWell Written

💬 What Developers Say

"I would to say special thanks to this 👇🏻 book to help me to solve engineering problems."
— avinashdalvi_ · Steps to solve software engineering problem · Apr 6, 2021

"You wouldn't check in code in the real world without testing it, and you shouldn't submit code in an interview without testing it. ( Taken as it from book because it's very helpful )"
— avinashdalvi_ · Steps to solve software engineering problem · Apr 6, 2021

"All other books in the list I’d recommend to any engineer at any level, but this one is probably more suited to programmers trying to land their first gig or to programmers trying to land a job a big tech company with a rigorous technical interview."
— lukegarrigan · Top 5 books EVERY programmer MUST read! 📚 · Jun 26, 2021