Look for redundant work. Are you recalculating the same value? (Use Dynamic Programming ). Are you searching linearly? (Use Binary Search or a Hash Map ). 2. The Mental Toolkit (Pattern Recognition)
Most DSA problems are variations of a few core patterns. If you recognize the pattern, the solution follows: When to Use It
Get it working first, then make it fast, then make it clean.
If you get stuck, explain the logic out loud to an inanimate object (or yourself). Translating abstract thoughts into spoken words often exposes the "logic gap" that your brain was subconsciously skipping over. 4. Implementation & Edge Cases