KrK's blog

Competitive programming (mini)group
By KrK, 11 years ago, In English

Hello,

I came up with an idea today — to form an active competitive programmers' group.

Why do I think that it is needed?

  1. People who participate in a lot of current contests may not find people to talk with about participating, problems, etc... (It's especially true, if you are not from strong (in terms of competitive programming) University).

  2. Some contests' sites don't provide an editorial after the contest. So it is may be more convenient to discuss the problems in a closed group than to post the question on Codeforces or Topcoder.

  3. It's fun and you may make some (intelligent) friends :)

Some experience in such type of groups.

Several years ago I with some of the programmers from Codeforces formed a contest practice group on Facebook. We solved SGU contests and practised in past Topcoder SRM rooms. It was fun. Currently, this group is inactive. To prevent this to happen again I will introduce some user requirements (based on performance ratings and activity).

What are requirements for the group members?

  1. Your rating have to be >= 2000 in Codeforces or >= 1800 in Topcoder (at a moment of joining the group).

  2. You have to participate at least once a week in any contest.

  3. You have to be solving at least 3 types of the contests currently from this list:

  • Topcoder
  • Codeforces
  • OpenCup
  • ITMO training
  • Codechef (any type)
  • Hackerrank (any type)
  • COCI
  • USACO
  • ZOJ contests
  • SPOJ contests

How to join?

  1. We have created a hidden group on Facebook. Of course, more people are still welcome to join us.

  2. If you would like to join this described group — please write to me privately on Codeforces. (Don't forget to mention your Topcoder handle if you have one, Facebook account and an email to receive an invitation)

Feel free to write some comments or suggestions about this post.

UPD1: Added other popular contests to the list.

UPD2: Added SPOJ contests; we already have over 10 members (with 4 grandmasters on Codeforces). It's already quite hard to talk personally with you, guys! :) Thank you for joining. Today I will create a group and I will send a message to each of you.

UPD3: We have 26 members! I updated How to join? section and updated the Topcoder requirements (because there were some comments that it is not fair compared with Codeforces' requirements). In addition, we don't want the group to become too big. However, if you have written to me (privately) before this update, you can enter with 1600 Topcoder ranking, instead of 1800.

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11 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +7 Vote: I do not like it

Nice idea overall. But don't you think a minimum rating of 2000 is a bit too high? Like, people who are "Expert" or "Candidate Master" here on Codeforces don't have the right to learn :) ? I understand you want to keep the group active, and that less experienced participants might ask some sorts of simple or trivial questions. But on the other hand, I know many people who improved rapidly and signifcantly in competitive programming just by interacting with other more experienced fellows.

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    11 years ago, # ^ |
    ← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +8 Vote: I do not like it

    Firstly, Thank you for your comment!

    Well, 2000 of course is quite high but I think it is not too high. In fact, I estimated the ratings from my own experience and some people whose abilities I know very well. The required rating of Topcoder is smaller. So if a person can solve Topcoder problems at a medium level, it is good enough. Usually, if one is an experienced coder he can satisfy both requirements. But if the rating in Topcoder (which mainly requires math and insight skills) is too low then one has to have a better rating in Codeforces.

    It is quite clear that I want to create an experienced and active group. I can not give rights or forbid to do something :) Especially, the right to learn. So it would be cool, if someone tries to create a similar group with lower requirements (so some people may join both groups). When I created a group several years ago, there were people who asked how many high rated members have joined the group. But I think that better coders also would like not only to teach something but to learn themselves. It is easier when the lower bound of the group abilities is the highest possible.

    To sum up, I am also aware that it may be some kind of a motivation to reach these requirements and to join the group for some sort of coders. Also, maybe it will be more interesting for experienced coders to be in such a group :)

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      11 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +8 Vote: I do not like it

      For me 1600 in TC is much easier than 2000 in codeforces, is it true for many people?

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        11 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it +8 Vote: I do not like it

        For me it also seems so.

        But there are ~1000 coders with 2000+ on CF — and ~1000 coders with 1600+ on TC, roughly the same number.

        And i know some users with rating ~2000 on CF and div2 rating on TC)

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          11 years ago, # ^ |
            Vote: I like it +36 Vote: I do not like it

          Remember that inactive users disappear from TC's rating after 6 months, while on CF they stay on the leaderboard.

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      11 years ago, # ^ |
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      SPOJ is not in your list :(

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        11 years ago, # ^ |
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        fixed, thanks :)

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      11 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +12 Vote: I do not like it

      Why not make it an open group, so every one can see the posts/comments but only members can post/comment. Then everyone will be benefited.

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11 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +45 Vote: I do not like it

After I've trained with KrK for 1.5 months my rating went up, and I've became red (starting at 1800) :3

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    11 years ago, # ^ |
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    Yes It was a great training my rating went up from gray to green :)

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      11 years ago, # ^ |
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      Hello SmartCoder

      Can you tell me what kind of training did you do?, I am gray and I want to be green, I am practicing (I am more active on topcoder) I would like to hear some advices from you , thanks

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        11 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it +9 Vote: I do not like it

        Solve, solve, solve! After each CF Round, make an upsolving. Read editorial, ask questions. After learning a new topic, solve problems. From easiest one to hardest. If you can't, read other people's solution, ask, search.

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          11 years ago, # ^ |
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          thanks for answering Na2a, just one question upsolving means solve the problems that you can not solve in the contest right?, and I am practing but I think that I have to work harder

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            11 years ago, # ^ |
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            Yes, upsolving — solving problems which you couldn't solve on contest.

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    10 years ago, # ^ |
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    hi may you do another group for people that does not have a rating as high as 2000, and maybe train us or do something similar to the things Krk did with you?

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11 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +2 Vote: I do not like it

Facebook is invalid in China .. Are there some other ways?

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8 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +10 Vote: I do not like it

does this group still exist? would it be possible to enter it with my rating?

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