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Data Structures and Design Patterns for Game Developers

Approx. 22 hours to complete

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Course Summary

Learn about essential data structures and design patterns used in programming and software development. This course teaches you how to create efficient and scalable programs using these techniques.

Key Learning Points

Understand the fundamentals of data structures and design patterns
Learn how to analyze and optimize program performance
Gain practical experience implementing these concepts in code

Learning Outcomes

Implement and analyze common data structures used in programming
Apply design patterns to enhance program architecture and functionality
Optimize program performance using data structures and design patterns

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic programming knowledge in a high-level language such as Java, Python, or C++
Familiarity with object-oriented programming concepts

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online self-paced
Video lectures
Programming assignments

Similar Courses

Algorithms and Data Structures
Software Architecture and Design
Python Data Structures

Notable People in This Field

Computer Scientist
Software Engineer and Author

Related Books

Description

This course is the fourth course in the specialization about learning how to develop video games using the C# programming language and the Unity game engine on Windows or Mac. Why use C# and Unity instead of some other language and game engine? Well, C# is a really good language for learning how to program and then programming professionally. Also, the Unity game engine is very popular with indie game developers; Unity games were downloaded 16,000,000,000 times in 2016! Finally, C# is one of the programming languages you can use in the Unity environment.

This course assumes you have the prerequisite knowledge from the previous three courses in the specialization. You should make sure you have that knowledge, either by taking those previous courses or from personal experience, before tackling this course. The required prerequisite knowledge is listed in the "Who this class is for" section below. Throughout this course you'll build on your foundational C# and Unity knowledge by developing more robust games with better object-oriented designs using various data structures and design patterns. Data structures and design patterns are both general programming and software architecture topics that span all software, not just games. Although we'll discuss these ideas in the game domain, they also apply if you're writing a web app in ASP.NET, building a tool using WinForms, or any other software you decide to build. Module 1: Explore a Dynamic Array data structure and learn the basics of algorithm analysis Module 2: Learn about and use the common Linked List and Graph data structures Module 3: Learn about and use several additional data structures: Stacks, Queues, and Trees Module 4: Learn why design patterns are so useful and discover a number of design patterns useful in game development Module 5: Complete final peer review “Unity” is a trademark or registered trademark of Unity Technologies or its affiliates in the U.S. and elsewhere. This course is an independent work and is not sponsored by, authorized by, or affiliated with Unity Technologies or its affiliates

Outline

Dynamic Arrays and Algorithm Analysis
Course Introduction
Navigating a Coursera Course (optional)
Meet the Instructor (optional)
Lesson Introduction
Unordered ints
Ordered ints
Making it Generic
Implementing an Interface
Lesson Introduction
What is Algorithm Analysis?
Introduction to Big O
Big O Examples
Unordered Dynamic Array Analysis
Ordered Dynamic Array Analysis
Setting Up Your Development Environment
Readings and Lecture Code
Exercise Code
Dr. T's Book
Dynamic Arrays
Exercise 1: Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Exercise 2: Using the Generic
Dynamic Arrays Lecture Code
Big O
Exercise 3 Trading Time for Space
Exercise 4: Wacky Again
Ted the RoboCollector Solution

Linked Lists and Graphs
Lesson Introduction
Linked List Implementation
Linked List Analysis
Lesson Introduction
Graph Implementation
Graph Analysis
Dictionaries
Searching a Graph
Linked Lists
Exercise 5: Double the Links
Graphs
Exercise 6: Getting Some Direction
Exercise 7: What Does It Cost?
Graphs Lecture Code
Take the Short Way Home Solution

Stacks, Queues, and Trees
Lesson Introduction
Stack Implementation
Stack Analysis
Lesson Introduction
Queue Implementation
Queue Analysis
Lesson Introduction
Recursion
Recursive Binary Search
Tree Implementation
Tree Analysis
Tree Traversal
Minimax Search
Minimax Implementation
Stacks
Exercise 8: Depth-First Search
Queues
Exercise 9: Breadth-First Search
Recursion
Trees
Exercise 10: Minimax Practice
Trees Lecture Code
Don't Take the Last Teddy Solution

Design Patterns
Lesson Introduction
Game Loop and Update Method
Component
Prototype
Singleton
Observer
Mediator
Object Pool
State
Strategy
Template Method
Finishing Up, Four Course Specialization
Finishing Up, Five Course Specialization
Design Patterns Lecture Code
Oh, Shmup! Solution
Which Finishing Up Video Should I Watch?

Summary of User Reviews

Discover the world of data structures and design patterns in this comprehensive Coursera course. Users have praised the course for its engaging content and useful practical applications. Overall, this course has received high ratings from satisfied learners.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

The course's practical approach to teaching data structures and design patterns is highly appreciated by many users.

Pros from User Reviews

Engaging and informative course content
Practical applications make the course more interesting
Instructors are knowledgeable and responsive to questions
Great course for beginners to learn programming concepts
Offers a good mix of theory and practical exercises

Cons from User Reviews

Some users found the course pace too slow or too fast
Assignments can be challenging and time-consuming
Some users felt that the course could benefit from more in-depth explanations
Course materials can be difficult to access or navigate
Limited opportunities for interaction with other learners

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