Even if you aren’t implementing them directly, it can help to just understand how a library you’re using implements them. Most data structures have scenarios where they are the best option and other scenarios where they are the worst option. Which one you pick can be the difference between an operation taking under a second vs minutes or hours. Hell, even if you pick the correct structures overall but layer them poorly, you can see a difference like that.
It’s like adding an understanding of engineering to woodworking skills. Sure, a carpenter could probably build a house frame on their own, but it takes engineering knowledge to minimize the amount of wood used while still being sure that it won’t fall over if the wind gusts to 100 km/h or it snows during winter.
Even if you aren’t implementing them directly, it can help to just understand how a library you’re using implements them. Most data structures have scenarios where they are the best option and other scenarios where they are the worst option. Which one you pick can be the difference between an operation taking under a second vs minutes or hours. Hell, even if you pick the correct structures overall but layer them poorly, you can see a difference like that.
It’s like adding an understanding of engineering to woodworking skills. Sure, a carpenter could probably build a house frame on their own, but it takes engineering knowledge to minimize the amount of wood used while still being sure that it won’t fall over if the wind gusts to 100 km/h or it snows during winter.