Everyone’s Doing DSA Wrong. Here’s the System That Actually Works.
Last Updated on September 4, 2025 by Editorial Team
Author(s): Mayank Bohra
Originally published on Towards AI.
Stop grinding LeetCode problems mindlessly. Learn the 4-stage systematic thinking framework that builds real engineering skills.
After grinding through 300+ DSA problems over 6 months, I’ve realized something: most people treat DSA like a memorization contest when it’s actually about building systematic thinking skills.
The article discusses the author’s realization that many people misunderstand Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) as a purely memorization exercise instead of focusing on developing systematic thinking skills essential for engineering. It outlines an alternative four-stage framework for approaching DSA that emphasizes understanding patterns, recognizing problems, and applying a systematic approach over sheer problem-solving volume. The author shares insights from personal experiences and emphasizes the importance of adapting engineering principles to algorithmic challenges, arguing that the true measure of DSA success lies in one’s ability to handle real technical challenges through systematic thinking rather than just solving problems for interviews.
Read the full blog for free on Medium.
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