# YoloCorp vs LeetCode: Real Backend Engineering vs Algorithm Problems

## The Core Difference

**LeetCode** focuses on algorithm and data structure problems in a browser-based editor. You solve isolated challenges that test your coding interview skills.

**YoloCorp** is a backend engineering platform where you build real systems with persistent data, evolving requirements, and production-like constraints.

## Key Differences

### Problem Structure

**LeetCode:**
- Isolated algorithm problems
- Each problem is independent
- No state between problems
- Focus on optimal Big-O complexity

**YoloCorp:**
- Multi-episode projects with continuous storyline
- Data persists across all episodes
- Previous decisions impact future episodes
- Focus on real-world architecture decisions

### Development Environment

**LeetCode:**
- Browser-based code editor
- Pre-selected language per problem
- Sandboxed execution environment
- No infrastructure control

**YoloCorp:**
- Local development with your own tools
- Any language, any framework
- Full Docker Compose environment
- Complete infrastructure freedom (databases, microservices, message queues, etc.)

### What You're Building

**LeetCode:**
- Pure functions that solve algorithmic problems
- Input → Algorithm → Output
- No persistence, no APIs, no architecture

**YoloCorp:**
- Complete backend systems
- REST/GraphQL/RPC APIs (your choice)
- Database schema design and migrations
- Real deployment workflow with Docker

### Testing Approach

**LeetCode:**
- Unit tests on pure functions
- Instant feedback on correctness and performance
- Tests only the algorithm

**YoloCorp:**
- Black-box integration tests
- Tests exercise your backend through a client interface
- Tests the entire system behavior, not implementation
- Data continuity requirements

### Evolving Requirements

**LeetCode:**
- Problems never change after publication
- Same solution works forever
- No maintenance required

**YoloCorp:**
- Requirements evolve episode by episode
- May need data migrations for new features
- Must handle backward compatibility
- Real-world change management

### Skills You Develop

**LeetCode Strengths:**
- Algorithm design and optimization
- Data structure mastery
- Pattern recognition for interviews
- Time/space complexity analysis

**YoloCorp Strengths:**
- System architecture and design
- API design (contracts-first thinking)
- Database schema evolution
- Docker and containerization
- Data migration strategies
- DevOps workflow
- Making architecture decisions under constraints

## When to Use Each

### Choose LeetCode if you want to:
- Prepare for coding interviews at FAANG companies
- Master algorithms and data structures
- Practice competitive programming
- Improve problem-solving speed

### Choose YoloCorp if you want to:
- Build real backend systems from scratch
- Practice production engineering skills
- Learn Docker and containerization
- Design APIs and database schemas
- Handle evolving requirements
- Experience realistic development workflows
- Have fun with a corporate satire storyline

## Not Either/Or

These platforms are complementary:

- **LeetCode** prepares you for the interview
- **YoloCorp** prepares you for the job

Use LeetCode to sharpen your algorithm skills. Use YoloCorp to practice building production systems.

## Try YoloCorp

Ready to build backends that feel like real production work?

[Download the CLI](/downloads) and start your first project.