A computer science study plan to become a software engineer
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Submission timeline
2007–2026One slot for every year since HN launched. Height is that year's peak points; orange marks a 100+ point or 50+ comment breakout. Select a bar to open its strongest thread.
First comments on top threads
HN comment orderThis isn't a bad list of topics about data structures, algorithms, and software fundamentals, but let's not pretend that computer science has anything to do with most software engineering roles. I studied computer science, and in 30 years, I've hardly used any of it. There were a few jobs where some of the statistics and math were helpful, but in my long career, I've seen very little overlap between computer science and working as a software engineer. Google and other…
I am sorry but this is neither complete nor a plan how to become a software engineer. This is a list of trivia to get you through a coding interview conducted by a clueless HR department that equates engineering skill with remembering answers to test questions. Nothing more. None of the stuff in the list will actually teach you how to apply these techniques nor when to apply them (and when to stay away!) - which is much more important…
The first top-level comment from each of the four biggest threads, in HN’s own order. Excerpts are shortened; open a comment for full context.
- Breakout years
- 2
- Total points
- 661
- Total comments
- 270
100+ points or 50+ comments
reference only — not used in Hall rules or ranking
reference only — not used in Hall rules or ranking
Every submission
| Date | Title as submitted | By | Points | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-03-08 | A complete computer science study plan to become a software engineer | sdomino | 1 | 0 |
| 2017-07-26 | Coding Interview University | happy-go-lucky | 2 | 0 |
| 2017-10-12 | A complete computer science study plan to become a software engineer | avgr | 2 | 0 |
| 2017-12-11 | A computer science study planFirst breakout | rhakmi | 270 | 53 |
| 2020-02-25 | Coding Interview University | Liriel | 3 | 0 |
| 2020-12-16 | A computer science study plan to become a software engineerBest thread · Latest 20+ point return | sturza | 374 | 217 |
| 2022-04-07 | A complete computer science study plan to become a software engineerHall induction | jeremylevy | 2 | 0 |
| 2022-07-18 | Coding Interview University | pretext | 1 | 0 |
| 2022-11-30 | A complete computer science study plan to become a software engineer | k8tix | 2 | 0 |
| 2024-04-16 | A-Z computer science study plan to become a software engineer | adif_sgaid | 2 | 0 |
| 2026-05-01 | Coding Interview University | marvel_boy | 2 | 0 |