Hello and welcome to this repo. In it, I will be adding how to become a good competitive programmer from scratch.

Who am I? I am Shlok a 5 Star Coder on CodeChef with a global rank of around 250 and an India rank of around 150 and my Max rating is 2182. On LeetCode I am in the top 7% of the coders and have solved more than 1100 questions.

My profiles: CodeChef: https://www.codechef.com/users/shlok_t LeetCode: https://leetcode.com/u/shlok_t/

So now let's get started :)

Becoming a good competitive programmer requires dedication, practice, and a strategic approach to learning and problem-solving. Here are some steps and tips to help you on your journey:

1. Start with the Basics

• Learn a Programming Language: Choose a language that's commonly used in competitive programming, such as C++, Python, or Java. C++ is often preferred due to its Standard Template Library (STL) which is very useful.
• Understand Basic Data Structures and Algorithms: Make sure you are comfortable with arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, graphs, hash tables, and basic sorting and searching algorithms.

2. Practice Regularly

• Join Online Platforms: Websites like Codeforces, CodeChef, LeetCode, AtCoder, HackerRank, and TopCoder offer a wide range of problems and contests.
• Solve Problems: Start with easier problems and gradually move to more difficult ones. Consistency is key, so try to solve a few problems every day.

3. Learn Advanced Data Structures and Algorithms

• Dive Deeper: Study more complex data structures like segment trees, Fenwick trees, tries, and disjoint-set unions (DSU).
• Algorithms: Learn about dynamic programming, graph algorithms (like Dijkstra's and Floyd-Warshall), backtracking, and bit manipulation.

4. Participate in Contests

• Regular Contests: Participate in regular online contests on platforms like Codeforces, CodeChef, and AtCoder. This helps you get used to the competitive environment.
• Virtual Contests: If you miss a live contest, many platforms allow you to participate in it virtually later on.

5. Analyze and Learn from Mistakes

• Contest Analysis: After each contest, spend time analyzing your solutions as well as the top solutions. Understand where you went wrong and how you can improve.
• Debugging: Develop strong debugging skills. This will help you quickly identify and fix issues during contests.

6. Study Competitive Programming Resources

• Books: Consider reading books like "Competitive Programming" by Steven Halim and Felix Halim, "Introduction to Algorithms" by Cormen, Leiserson, Rivest, and Stein, and "The Art of Computer Programming" by Donald Knuth.
• Tutorials and Blogs: Follow tutorials and blogs by experienced competitive programmers. Many top coders share their strategies and solutions.

7. Join a Community

• Forums and Groups: Engage with communities on platforms like Codeforces, Reddit, or Discord. Discuss problems, solutions, and strategies with peers.
• Mentorship: If possible, find a mentor who can guide you and help you improve faster.

8. Improve Time Management and Problem-Solving Speed

• Timely Practice: During practice sessions, time yourself to simulate contest conditions.
• Prioritize Problems: Learn to quickly identify which problems to attempt first during a contest. Start with the easier problems to secure quick points.

9. Stay Updated and Adaptable

• Learn New Techniques: Competitive programming evolves, with new techniques and algorithms constantly emerging. Stay updated with the latest trends and techniques.
• Adapt: Be flexible in your approach to problems. Sometimes unconventional methods or creative thinking can lead to solutions.

10. Maintain a Balanced Routine

• Healthy Lifestyle: Ensure you get enough rest, exercise, and maintain a healthy diet. A fresh and focused mind performs better.
• Avoid Burnout: Take breaks and avoid over-practicing. Quality of practice is more important than quantity.

Resources for Competitive Programming

• Online Judges: Codeforces, CodeChef, LeetCode, AtCoder, TopCoder, HackerRank, SPOJ, UVa Online Judge.
• Books: "Competitive Programming" by Steven Halim and Felix Halim, "Introduction to Algorithms" by Cormen, Leiserson, Rivest, and Stein, "The Art of Computer Programming" by Donald Knuth.
• Websites: GeeksforGeeks, HackerEarth, CP-Algorithms, TopCoder Tutorials.
• YouTube Channels: Gaurav Sen, William Lin, Errichto, Kunal Kushwaha, CodeNCode.

By following these steps and utilizing the resources mentioned, you'll be well on your way to becoming a proficient competitive programmer. Good luck!

Resources:

1. Introduction to Algorithms by Thomas H. Cormen, Charles E. Leiserson, Ronald L. Rivest, Clifford Stein
2. Good Github Repo: https://github.com/kunal-kushwaha/Competitive-Programming-Resources
3. https://codeforces.com/blog/entry/109430