String Algorithms and Pattern Matching

Text is the lifeblood of the digital world, from web searches to genomic sequencing, but processing massive amounts of textual data efficiently requires specialized techniques. This written course guides you through the core concepts of string algorithms, showing you how to find patterns, index large volumes of text, and optimize search performance from the ground up. You will start with the absolute basics, learning key terminology, string representations, and foundational definitions before moving on to practical algorithmic implementations. Through clear explanations and structured code snippets, you will gain a deep, intuitive understanding of how computers manipulate and search text at scale. What you'll learn: - Understand the foundational concepts of string representation, prefixes, suffixes, and basic pattern-matching techniques. - Implement classic exact match algorithms including Knuth-Morris-Pratt (KMP) and Boyer-Moore. - Build and query advanced indexing structures such as trie data structures, suffix trees, and suffix arrays. - Apply the Burrows-Wheeler Transform and FM-index for memory-efficient genomic search and data compression. - Explore how classical string algorithms lay the groundwork for modern vector-based text search concepts. This course begins with simple text comparisons and gradually introduces complex indexing structures used in modern bioinformatics and search engines. It is designed for beginners and intermediate programmers looking to strengthen their computer science fundamentals, with no advanced algorithmic background required. Start reading to unlock the power of efficient text processing and search optimization.