01
Data Structures & Algorithms
Optimize, pass technical interviews, and finally feel like you belong in the room.
20K+
Copies sold
550
Pages of plain English
12
Chapters · CS fundamentals
100%
Written by a human
01Person
You're not alone, friend.
This industry is full of people just like you and me who don't have formal CS degrees - and it sucks to feel like you don't belong. Like you're an imposter. I've been there: nodding along to discussions about algorithms and data structures while silently panicking inside.
"The fact that you're reading this page means you care. That alone puts you ahead."
"
A great way to reinforce those fundamentals and core concepts. Rob has been programming for years but without a CS degree. This book is about all the things he learned and all the gaps that got filled in while he was overwhelmed.
Scott Hanselman
Microsoft · This Developer's Life
02Problem
Dunning-Kruger is real,
and you're being overlooked.
You've heard of it: people with low ability overestimate their skills. Put another way - the worst programmers are the most confident. The opposite is also true: the best performers (likely you) underestimate their skill, because they're decent people who don't like to shine the light on themselves.
That's the problem. You stay silent while your loud, toxic coworker takes the promotion, and you end up working for them.
The cost
Great programmers are a rare find - mostly because they stay hidden in mediocre jobs, burying their talent.
"
Just finished reading The Imposter's Handbook - it was so good I couldn't put it down.
Ashley Willis
Director of DevRel · GitHub
04Story
In 2014, I decided to write
The Imposter's Handbook.
Finally taking the time to backfill the computer science concepts I had always wanted to learn - and it has been the absolute highlight of my career. Helping developers just like you all over the world.
2014
First draft
Rob starts writing
2016
1st Edition ships
Hits #1 on HN
2019
10K copies
2023
2nd Edition
Full rewrite
2026
20K+ copies
And counting
This second edition builds on everything from the first - refining explanations, adding new topics, and making everything more accessible and practical for self-taught programmers.
05Solution
Take advantage of
my obsession.
This book is written by a human, for other humans. You won't find dry walls of text - instead, you'll have a conversation with someone just like you, with hand-drawn doodles to capture what I couldn't put into words.
Checkout is quick, powered by Stripe. Once complete, you'll download the book immediately - EPUB for iPad or Kindle, or PDF.
Invest in your career - you have a lot to offer.
Stop feeling like an imposter·What you'll learn
Not a purely
academic exercise.
You'll start connecting concepts you never thought were related - and a whole new fascinating world will open up to you.
02
Binary & Cryptography
Encoding, compression, hashing - speak more authoritatively about technical decisions.
03
Computation & Complexity
State machines and Big-O - don't waste time coding something impossible.
04
Software Principles & Patterns
Real options when architecting complex systems - become the one leading the team.
05
Databases & Data Theory
Build proper databases that protect data and let your company make better decisions.
06
Unix & The Command Line
Essential Unix and shell scripting that automate your workflow - stop doing manual jobs.
06Sell
Who am I to be
showing you this stuff?
I'm Rob Conery, and I've been building software for over 25 years without a CS degree. I've created applications for huge corporations including Ameritech and Southwest Bell, and contracted to Visa, Google, Starbucks, and PayPal - building their very first developer portal back in 2005.
I wrote an open-source e-commerce site for Microsoft that was demoed on stage by Steve Ballmer at Tech Ed. In 2009 I co-founded Tekpub, specializing in high-quality video productions focused on technology - acquired by Pluralsight in 2013.
I'm obsessed with creating compelling, high-quality books and videos. I have been for years.
Built and shipped for
MicrosoftVisaGoogleStarbucksPayPalPluralsight