Timer on, then review
A parallel, timed problem-solving lane. The Darbar builds coding fluency through six pattern blocks and 548 total slots, with optional Standard and Auror completion paths.
548 selected problems covering the full data-structure and algorithm spectrum.
One “Standard” solve path to keep the 108-week core viable.
Solve, explain, and timebox all 548 catalog slots.
The emphasis shifts with the phase of the course, and each set points to a production concept.
| Weeks | Darbar emphasis | Production connection |
|---|---|---|
| 1–6 | Arrays, strings, hash tables, stacks, queues, searching/sorting | Python engineering, APIs, diagnostics |
| 7–30 | Math, bit manipulation, divide and conquer, recursion, backtracking | Linear algebra, probability, statistics, optimization |
| 31–45 | Heaps, linked lists, tries, range queries, hashing | Retrieval, Top-K, caching, sketches, routing |
| 46–57 | Graphs, trees, greedy, DSU, range queries | System design, workflows, sharding, scheduling |
| 58–69 | Dynamic programming, greedy, math, probability | Experiment assignment, rollouts, monitoring |
| 70–81 | Strings, tries, graphs, sequence DP | Tokenization, retrieval, agents, guardrails |
| 82–102 | Heaps, priority queues, graphs, trees, range queries | Inference schedulers, quotas, queues, tenant fairness |
| 103–108 | Mixed timed sets and mock interviews | Mo's traces, Euler/DSU boss, portfolio defense |
- Mon–Thu: one catalog problem per day
- Fri: one timed problem or contest set
- Weekend: review, editorial rewrite, or recovery
| Pattern | Weeks | Slots | Focus & tips | Timed exam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timed routing | 1–15 | 1–120 | Two-pointer scanning, map-based lookups, prefix products, interval merging | Weekly timed block, 3–5 problems in 60 minutes |
| State machines & simulations | 16–30 | 121–200 | Transition tables, cycle detection in simulation, stack/queue state | 2–3 state-machine problems in 60 minutes |
| Tree & graph fluency | 31–45 | 201–280 | DFS/BFS patterns, subtree invariants, shortest-path frames, topo order | Tree+graph block with one design flavored problem |
| Data-structure mastery | 46–60 | 281–360 | Heaps, Fenwick/segment trees, tries, DSU, balanced structures | Structure-selection exam with 2–3 advanced problems |
| Advanced & interview fusion | 61–90 | 361–470 | DP, greedy, sliding-window optimizations, offline queries | Mixed 4-problem block mirroring a real interview |
| Mock & personal gauntlet | 91–108 | 471–548 | Full mock interviews, random pick from all patterns, time pressure | Full mock interviews scored on a rubric |
The Darbar is one leg of three. The same concept is drilled for speed here, derived for depth in the Forge, and placed into a production artifact by the core course.
| Concept | Darbar speed set | Forge depth | Tensor-to-Tenant artifact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heap | Top-K and scheduler problems | Heap invariants and adversarial streams | Streaming Top-K / inference batching |
| Trees | Traversal, LCA, tree DP | Euler Tour, HLD, DSU on Tree | Agent-execution forensics |
| Graphs | BFS/DFS and shortest paths | SCC, flow, matching, min-cost flow | Workflow and routing platform |
| Strings | Prefix matching and tries | KMP, Aho-Corasick, suffix structures | PII detector / retrieval index |
| Hashing | Frequency and lookup patterns | Consistent/rendezvous hashing | Tenant-aware routing and caches |
The catalog is organized across the full data-structure and algorithm spectrum:
- Rigor with sanity: prioritize problems that force the phase’s algorithms.
- Timer on, then review: solve under a clock, then study the editorial regardless of outcome.
- Evidence per slot: one file that proves the attempt, the solution, and the complexity note.
- Patterns before volume: mastery is choosing the right tool for the workload, not memorizing solutions.
- Mock pressure from week one: the timed block is a permanent part of the ritual.
- Auror track is optional: the 548-slot catalog is depth; the 108-week path never depends on it.
The Darbar is tracked independently so standard learners can keep the 108-week path viable while Auror learners can solve and explain all 548 catalog slots. It never becomes a hidden prerequisite for the core course.