404Error's blog

How Red coder become Red?Can someone do good without any mentor means self study?
By 404Error, 11 years ago, In English

I am from that place where you can get no guidance.No one can help you if you stuck in problem.I tried reading some blog and some sites too but stuck or you can say confused from where to start , tried reading some advance dynamic programming or graph theory book but stuck when going for implementation,I can solve the basic problem (at max Div2 C or Div2 500 or Div1 250 not all the times) but when It comes problem like which require in depth dynamic programming , some advanced data structure or graph theory and many other, I got stuck like many people.I tried reading from CLRS and some more algorithm book, topcoder tutorial ,usaco training program and some blog too and I solved some problem but stuck some time and tried like that problem for 3 or 4 days.Some times I solved it on pen or paper but it need implementation .I started programming very late but read somewhere that it is never too late to learn something.I am good at mathematical thinking too and I know I can do that.I need guidance , So I request to some top coders like rng_58,Petr,tomek,Egor,yeputons and many others topcoder or at least red (It is no offense to other coders in case hurt I say sorry, if you like you can share too)to give your thought or suggestion how to good at it without any mentor . I have patience too , I like it very much ,I do other thing too but I want to try it to that level ,I succeed or not it depends on things which I can't control.

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11 years ago, # |
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Through practice. Solving problems isn't really work without mentors: problem setters who make new, interesting problems, are pretty much mentors.

Also, learning from books won't give you the skills necessary for programming contests. It's fine to use books when trying to find solutions, but don't rely on them too much.

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    11 years ago, # ^ |
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    Thanks for answer.Though in practice, I stuck in difficult problems and I try to solve for some more days , then I try to read the editorial(topcoder) but I feel like I am not understanding the solution rather I am learning by heart.What to do in this situation?If there is a mentor then he would have given me suggestion how to tackle this kind of problem.

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      11 years ago, # ^ |
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      I'm not red (QAQ), but maybe this will help you at least a bit:

      If you are able to solve the problems with pen and paper, then you should also implement it. It might sometimes feel very hard but you should just do it. That's the only way how you can learn. Also training just mechanical coding with very easy problems might help you (like if you get a lot of runtime errors etc).

      I'm also facing the same problem: what is the best amount of time to spend solving one problem. I think sometimes it's a good idea to think something for a long time. But if you have feeling "I have no idea and I cannot concentrate to this problem anymore" then you should just read the editorial and go on.

      Sometimes editorials on Codeforces are not as clear as they could be. You said that you have done USACO, have you also done old USACO competitions? In my opinion, those editorials are very good. Unfortunately you have to download test cases to your computer and check them manually. :/

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      11 years ago, # ^ |
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      Duplicate of the previous comment...

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11 years ago, # |
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I face the same problem too. I cannot get any guidance but I want to be better, and I practice problems as much as possible. " I feel you bro !"

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    11 years ago, # ^ |
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    me too, I started practising regularly last summer and immediately after I noticed some improvement, in September 2013 the Greek army called me to do the compulsory military service, I will be dismissed in June of this year. My progress bar explains everything....

    I agree with what they say "Practice makes perfect", but you need to have the time for that.

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11 years ago, # |
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http://codeforces.net/blog/entry/2332 This thread can be helpful...

Another good thread http://www.quora.com/TopCoder/By-doing-practice-can-one-become-a-red-yellow-coder-despite-not-being-that-intelligent

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