The 90 DSA Patterns That Cover Virtually All Coding Interviews
You might have solved over 200 LeetCode questions, yet your confidence drops the moment the interview starts.
The truth is, interviewers rarely invent new problems; they adapt known logical structures.
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
You’ll explore 15 foundational categories containing 90 powerful coding patterns.
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
Without pattern-based learning, random LeetCode practice fails to build adaptability.
Once recognized, a pattern turns complex problems into familiar exercises.
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.
Success in interviews comes from recognizing underlying DSA themes, not recalling exact problems.
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)
Use Case: Handling multidimensional data, rotations, DSA 90 patterns sheet and prefix operations.
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?
On Thita.ai, you’ll:
– Learn efficiently using pattern recognition
– Get intelligent problem-solving assistance
– Access mock environments for FAANG-style practice
– Refine strategies through AI-curated guidance
– Build confidence and precision for real interviews.