Are you interested in building a career in computer science?
Are you someone who likes to solve problems?
Do you like to participate in coding competitions?
Competitive programming is something you should give a try. Welcome to the world of competitive programming!
Here in this blog, I will take you through the adventurous world of competitive programming.
What is competitive programming?
Competitive programming is a sport where participants solve pre-designed coding problems within a time limit, showcasing problem-solving abilities, algorithmic knowledge, and coding efficiency. Contests last several hours and consist of pre-solved problems, attracting students, computer enthusiasts, and professionals aiming to enhance their programming skills. Many companies utilize these competitions for talent recruitment, hosting their coding contests to assess candidates’ abilities effectively.
Who can participate in competitive programming?
Are you in school? Or are you at university? Or, are you already in a job? The good news is that anyone can participate in competitive programming. So you only need passion for solving problems and coding to be a part of competitive programming.
Requirements of Competitive Programming
- Choose a Proficient Programming Language:
The commonly used and preferred languages for competitive coding are C/C++, Java, or Python. Choose any language and be proficient in it to effectively solve problems.
- Master Algorithms and Data Structures:
Algorithms and data structure are the base and grammar of coding. So you must Understand fundamental algorithms and data structures to solve a variety of coding challenges efficiently. Moreover, you should Focus on implementing and utilizing appropriate data structures for optimal solutions.
- Comprehend Space and Time Complexity:
To determine the efficiency of a code Space and time Complexity are used. You should learn to analyze and understand the space and time complexity to get optimal solutions.
- Engage with Hard-Level Coding Problems:
Now you should practice solving hard-level coding problems to enhance your problem-solving abilities and prepare for competitive challenges. Moreover, you can participate in coding competitions on various platforms to put your skills to the test.
What are the best resources to become good at competitive programming?
These are the best resources that you may go through to get more ideas about computer programming:
- cp-algorithms – English translation of E-Maxx Algorithms
- Competitive Programmer’s Handbook by Antti Laaksonen
- chapbook by Steven Hamil and Felix Hamil
- Topcoder Competitive Programming Tutorials
Good problem sets for practice (Intermediate/Advanced):
- A2OJ: Problem collections based on Codeforces rating
- CSES Problem Set – Tasks
- CS Academy
What are the competitive coding contests a beginner can participate in?
- Hackerrank, Hourrank, world sprint
- Codechef
- HackerEarth, Codearena
- Codeforces
Career Benefits of Competitive Programming
1. Makes you a desirable candidate for major companies
2. Makes you faster and more focused in developing analytical skills
3. Helps you solve complicated problems
4. Teaches you how to work in teams
5. Training and participation helps you prepare for a career in coding
6. For Enjoyment
Tips for performing well in competitive coding events
- Continuous update with discoveries
- Adopt Effective Time Management
- Foster a Competitive Mindset
- Collaborate and Learn from Others
- Practise, practise, practise
- You must participate
Top coding competitions :
1) The ACM-ICPC International Collegiate Programming Contest
2) TopCoder
3) Google’s Coding Competition
4)Google Hash Code
5)Google Kickstart
6)Google Code Jam
In conclusion, competitive programming will be a long journey that will begin with your basic programming curiosity and end with you taking home numerous awards. You will inevitably experience many failures initially, but you will gradually acquire the abilities required to succeed in contests. But instead of going into competitions with a rigid winning mentality, focus on learning and developing your talents. Eventually, attempt to cultivate a winning mentality.
“Embrace the code, conquer the challenge, and never stop evolving into the coder you aspire to be!“
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Writer,
Sumaiya Islam Sonali
Intern,Content Writing Department
YSSE