# Coding interviews

Coding interviews focus on testing your ability to write good code. 

Some companies like Google, Facebook, Uber, Lyft, Twitter, and DeepMind focus a lot on algorithms and data structures in this interview.

Our general recommendations:

* We recommend learning about or brushing up your knowledge on data structures and algorithms in the following order: [Common data structures and algorithms](https://docs.outtalent.com/guides/common-data-structures-and-algorithms).
* Consider getting the latest edition of the [Cracking the Coding Interview by Gayle Laakmann Mcdowell](https://www.amazon.com/Cracking-Coding-Interview-Programming-Questions/dp/0984782850). The book may look big in its printed version, but we think it is written in a friendly way and most of the book is just code with solutions to problems. Here is a secret - you can skip them and just read the theory part. For problem-solving see recommendations in other sections.
* Consider buying a small whiteboard. This can help you with mock interviews before onsite interviews and will set you apart from others in case you will have a video interview rather than a phone interview.