How are Data Structures and Algorithms useful for SDETs?

Data Structures and Algorithms hold immense significance when it comes to efficient execution of a software development lifecycle. The role of Software Development/Design Engineer in Test (SDET) is a rapidly blooming position within the tech industry. They are quite often held to be same as manual testers; however, technically speaking, this is not true. Testing is definitely one of the core job responsibilities of a SDET Course; however, they happen to embody multiple skills and as such is involved in the development, designing, automation, as well as testing activities of the software lifecycle.     

In this blog, we will be looking at the way in which Data Structures and Algorithms are useful for SDETs. Given the fact that Data Structures and Algorithms happen to be the foundational stones of software development; SDETs are quite directly associated with the handling and management of these entities.

What is SDET?

What are Data Structures and Algorithms?

Types of Data Structures and Algorithms

How are Data Structures and Algorithms useful for SDETs

Conclusion

What is SDET?

SDET stands for Software Development/Design Engineer in Test. SDETs remain engaged, both in the development as well as testing of the software. These are professionals who are skilled in Software Development as well as Quality Engineering. They not only participate in developing and writing test scripts, but SDET testing also helps in fixing bugs as part of the process. 

What are Data Structures and Algorithms?

Data Structure is a way of organizing data. Sequences of numbers and data tables are instances of Data Structures. It refers to a system of data management, organization and storage format which provides for easy access to data. This helps in efficient organization of data, which can be extracted at any time.

Algorithm can be seen as an instructional guideline which lays down commands in a sequential manner, to be executed in order to get a desired output. Algorithm can be understood as a linkage between inputs, procedure and outputs. If Data Structures are static entities, Algorithms are dynamic processes which interact with them in order to produce desired results.

Types of Data Structures and Algorithms

Some of the common types of Data Structures across different programming languages are:

Ø  Primitive

·         Integer

·         Float

·         Character

·         Boolean

Data Type	Domain	Operations
Integer	-maxint to +maxint	_, +, ==,=,<>,<, etc.
Char	ASCII	=, <>, <, etc.
boolean	0,1	and, or, =, etc.

 

Ø  Non-primitive

·         Stacks

·         Linked Lists

·         Arrays        

·         Graphs

·         Queues

·         Hash Tables

·         Trees

·         Tries

Some common types of algorithms are:

Ø  .Binary Search

Ø  Depth First Search and Breadth First Search

Ø  Merge Sort

Ø  Quick Sort

Ø  Insertion Sort

Ø  Dynamic Programming

Ø  Graph/Tree Traversing

Ø  Hashing and Regex

How are Data Structures and Algorithms useful for SDETs

SDETs are actively involved in software development. This professional responsibility is impossible to be accomplished without a thorough understanding of Data Structures and Algorithms. Such knowledge is crucial for fixing bugs in codes developed by developers as well as in undertaking review of codes. Moreover, SDETs are responsible for conducting tests as well. However, they go beyond Manual Testing and seek to automate scenarios for seamless execution of Automation Testing. This involves building of advanced systems which can help in extracting bugs. Such an act is not possible to be carried out without an understanding of Data Structures and Algorithms.

Knowledge of Data Structures and Algorithms is also important, from the viewpoint of SDET interview. SDET aspirants might face questions wherein the interviewee asks them to find unique chars in string, duplicates from array or to reverse a string. All this would entail the need to have an in-depth knowledge of Data Structures and Algorithms. This is all the more important because as a SDET aspirant, you will be expected to come up with multiple approaches to solve a given problem. You may not eventually be able to solve the problem; however, it is important to show your resilience in terms of coming up with new ways for doing the same.

Conclusion

It is evident that Data Structures and Algorithms are of considerable utility to a SDET. Knowledge of Data Structures and Algorithms, only help in adding a competitive edge to your SDET resume. When faced with questions such as those which ask you to check whether a string has balanced parentheses; you will be required to depict much more than your knowledge of coding constructs. You will be required to showcase your understanding of using the appropriate Data Structure for solving the issue.