Ask HN: We need to learn algorithm when there are Claude Code etc.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47409696

by JasonHEIN • 4 months ago

11 3 4 months ago

news.ycombinator.com

I love algorithm it makes me feel fresh yet nowadays doing it is like doing maths for fun i don't see how it help my daily job routine :(

codegladiator• 4 months ago

algorithms are tools. like in any field every professional is supposed to be aware of "the basic standard tool set", what a good implemenation of a tool supposed to be like (i should be able to assess if a hammer is broken or good for use if i am civil engineer, or piano if i am a musician). it does not mean they should be able to "create that tool from scratch".

knowing the tools will only benefit you irrespective of your employer or other tools in town. (llm is also a tool, ides are tools, libraries are tools, design patterns is a tool)

grilo16• 4 months ago

My take on it:

I think learning how to personaly type the algorithm, nowadays is a cool party trick, is really fun for the doer, and the observer. But the utility of that has diminished due to ai and agents.

However I think understanding algorithms is extremely important. Knowing why merge sort is faster than bubble sort. That visceral knowledge where you actually took a stack of papers and just sorted them with both algorithms and experienced the difference in speed.

The awareness of how algorithms perform I believe is super important. Having the feeling for that would give one the ability to better choose what to use, and the ability to make an strategic decision on what to use based on true understanding I think is really valuable nowadays.

drsalt• 4 months ago

don't learn it then. i don't see why so many people publish their personal diary online

Ask HN: We need to learn algorithm when there are Claude Code etc.

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