The 90 DSA Patterns That Cover Virtually All Coding Interviews
Many candidates solve 200+ LeetCode challenges but still blank out during actual technical rounds.
Here’s the secret: most coding interviews don’t test unique problems — they reuse established logical templates.
Major companies prefer problem templates that measure reasoning, not rote memory.
Master these 90 essential DSA patterns, and you’ll instantly recognize nearly every coding problem you encounter.
What You’ll Learn
Inside this guide, we organize 90 DSA templates into 15 essential families used by elite programmers.
You’ll be guided on how to practice these patterns dynamically through AI-driven hints and feedback on Thita.ai.
Why Random LeetCode Grinding Doesn’t Work
Solving problems at random doesn’t build intuition for recurring logic patterns.
Each DSA pattern functions as a reusable design you can apply to multiple situations.
Example mappings include:
– Sorted Array + Target Sum ? Two Pointers (Converging)
– Longest Substring Without Repeats ? Sliding Window (Variable Size)
– Cycle in Linked List ? Fast & Slow Pointers.
Elite developers rely on pattern familiarity, not brute-force memorization.
The 15 Core DSA Pattern Families
These pattern families cover the foundational structures behind most coding interview challenges.
1. Two Pointer Patterns (7 Patterns)
Applied in problems where two indices move strategically across data structures.
Key Patterns: Converging pointers, Fast & Slow pointers, Fixed separation, In-place modification, Expand from center, String reversal, and Backspace comparison.
? Pro Tip: Check if the data is sorted or relationships exist between index pairs.
2. Sliding Window Patterns (4 Patterns)
Use Case: Optimize subarray or substring challenges dynamically.
Examples include fixed or variable windows, character tracking, and monotonic operations.
? Hint: Balance expansion and contraction logic to optimize results.
3. Tree Traversal Patterns (7 Patterns)
Used for recursive and iterative traversals across hierarchical structures.
4. Graph Traversal Patterns (8 Patterns)
Applied in DFS, BFS, shortest paths, and union-find logic.
5. Dynamic Programming Patterns (11 Patterns)
Covers problems like Knapsack, LIS, Edit Distance, and Interval DP.
6. Heap (Priority Queue) Patterns (4 Patterns)
Use Case: Ranking, median finding, and scheduling challenges.
7. Backtracking Patterns (7 Patterns)
Use Case: Recursive search and exhaustive solution exploration.
8. Greedy Patterns (6 Patterns)
Use Case: Achieving global optima through local choices.
9. Binary Search Patterns (5 Patterns)
Core to logarithmic time optimizations.
10. Stack Patterns (6 Patterns)
Enables structured data management through stack logic.
11. Bit Manipulation Patterns (5 Patterns)
Used for detecting duplicates, toggling bits, and subset enumeration.
12. Linked List Patterns (5 Patterns)
Includes reversal, merging, and cycle detection problems.
13. Array & Matrix Patterns (8 Patterns)
Covers spiral traversals, rotations, and prefix/suffix computations. mock coding interview platform
14. String Manipulation Patterns (7 Patterns)
Use Case: Parsing, validation, and frequency analysis in strings.
15. Design Patterns (Meta Category)
Represents higher-order algorithmic design and data structure construction.
How to Practice Effectively on Thita.ai
Knowledge without practice falls short — Thita.ai helps bridge that gap with interactive learning.
Start) by reviewing the official 90 DSA pattern sheet on Thita.ai.
Step 2: Choose a Pattern ? Pick one like “Sliding Window – Variable Size.”
Let Thita.ai guide your problem-solving with intelligent assistance and complexity insights.
Track your improvement and focus on weak areas using detailed reports.
The Smart Way to Prepare
Traditional grinding wastes time — pattern-based learning delivers results.
Thita.ai provides the smartest route — combining AI guidance with proven DSA frameworks.
Why Choose Thita.ai?
Thita.ai empowers learners to:
– Master 90 reusable DSA patterns
– Practice interactively with AI feedback
– Experience realistic mock interviews
– Prepare for FAANG and top-tier interviews
– Build a personalized, AI-guided learning path.