Um_nik's blog

F.A.Q. (in PM)
By Um_nik, history, 8 years ago, In English

Q1: I'm a newbie. What should I do to become great coder?
A1: Stop doing competetive programming Solve problems.

Q2: I'm doing CP for two months and I'm still not red green. What should I do?
A2: You are lazy and impatient Solve more problems.

Q3: You became a red in less than two years, it is unbelievable!
A3: No, it isn't. You can do it too if you will solve fucking problems.

Q4: You became a red blah-blah-blah such a huge fan blah-blah. Oh, and what should I do to become as great as you?
A4: ... right. You already know the answer. Solve problems. I hate you.

Q5: I'm not good at DP [or something]. What can you suggest?
A5. Maybe you should try to stop asking stupid questions and solve some problems on DP? Or read some blogs and editorials.

Q6: I can't solve a problem / understand your code. Can you help me?
(Well, it is not a bad question in general. It is a good (if you really want me to explain something not to write the solution instead of you) question. But...)
A6: Sure. Can you provide the link to the problem / code?
(I'm not joking, it is a real story).

Bonus!
Q0: Hello bro/sir.
A0: Stop doing this please.

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Comments Comments (50)
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8 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +135 Vote: I do not like it

Hi sir,

Please answer my question. I have messaged 10+ legendary GM but no one tells me :'(

Do legendary GM get any messages from girls? Please say yes. I need motivation.

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    8 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +174 Vote: I do not like it

    Well, I constantly receiving messages from my girlfriend. Not sure if it is connected with my rating. So, basically, answer to your question is yes.

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      8 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +128 Vote: I do not like it

      Do you receive them on cf?

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      8 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +58 Vote: I do not like it

      Next question you're gonna get: "How to become red and be good with girls simultaneously?"

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        6 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

        Solve more problems.

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        2 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

        I'm not very high rating, but it seems the more time I spend solving programming problems the less time I spend talking to girls. This would suggest rating and "good with girls" are inversely related making it impossible to be both "good with girls" and red simultaneously.

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8 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +135 Vote: I do not like it

hello sir. I'm triggered here! It's all just imposed standards of skills, people can be red even if they're not solving problems. Stop dat lazyphobia pls

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8 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +44 Vote: I do not like it

What about "Could you please debug my code?"

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    8 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +50 Vote: I do not like it

    There were such messages a couple of times. In both cases I opened the code, saw 100+ lines of not really well written staff, closed the code and never answered. So I'm not very bothered with this kind of messages. But yes, it deserves the place in my FAQ.

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8 years ago, # |
← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it -18 Vote: I do not like it

Krytoi takoi. kak stat krasnim ????/?????

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

I think they will hate you now and send you more message. If I were you I would abandon my red account and use a new one.

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    8 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +46 Vote: I do not like it

    Then , he must repeat it after each 3 contests ...

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      8 years ago, # ^ |
      ← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it -21 Vote: I do not like it

      No, only 2 accounts are enough, e.g. he can increase rating for one and decrease for another, alternatively. Thus he will never be an LGM on any accounts but enjoy every contests.

      btw, you are purple, you should use your brain.

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        8 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it +13 Vote: I do not like it

        Then , his rating graph will attract more people ...

        also he will not do that because intelligence need to be seen (SherlockHolmes)

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8 years ago, # |
← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +63 Vote: I do not like it

Let me guess:

Q1: asked by newbie
Q2: asked by pupil
Q3: asked by specialist
Q4: asked by expert
Q5: asked by candidate master expert
Q6: asked by master candidate master

Bonus:
Q0: asked by unrated

Right? :)

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8 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +96 Vote: I do not like it

I see you solved something similar (link to my 2 year old comment). Can you please tell me how to solve this? (link to the problem from ongoing codechef contest)

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8 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +98 Vote: I do not like it

If you're Indian and >= 2200: (rajat1603)

Q) Hello brother, can you give me your phone number?

I really want to talk to you.

Even missed call will work sir.

Plij brother...

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8 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +117 Vote: I do not like it

I'd really like to add "Sorry for my bad english" here. To me it is like a red rag to a bull. Hell, (almost) no one's English is excellent, and when you write a five-word sentence continued with this remark, it is really annoying.

Just a curious observation: if you have such a remark then most likeky your language is understandable. And those who write incomprehensible pieces of s... something usually don't give excuses.

We're not grammar nazis here. At least at the English part of the site :)

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8 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +41 Vote: I do not like it

How often do you receive these messages!? I'm really curious..

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    8 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +14 Vote: I do not like it

    There are 16 messages exactly like those from blog and 5 variations on them. Which is not very much and I can answer "solve problems" for every person. But I received 3 such messages in last 3 days and it was really annoying.

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    8 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +28 Vote: I do not like it

    Even violet coders like me receive these messages.

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      8 years ago, # ^ |
      ← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +9 Vote: I do not like it

      I confirm! :)
      Deemo, how often do you receive them?

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        8 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it +70 Vote: I do not like it

        I have received 16 of them so far. But I don't mind them, I like helping people even if it's just by telling them to solve more problems!

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          8 years ago, # ^ |
            Vote: I like it +44 Vote: I do not like it

          I also don't mind them, it makes me happy to look smart at least in the eyes of some people :D

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8 years ago, # |
← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +119 Vote: I do not like it

Hey Um_nick, I couldn't understand what the 'setik' variable in your code (link to code) is used for. Could you please please clarify it to me? thanks a lot!!!

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    8 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +147 Vote: I do not like it

    The Very First Rule of talking with Grandmaster: don't even try to misspell his nickname, or you'll get burned.

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8 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +5 Vote: I do not like it

Man! You've made my day with A1! :) Thanks!

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8 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +4 Vote: I do not like it

I think Mike should really consider adding those here.

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8 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +42 Vote: I do not like it

Btw, are you sure everyone needs the same amount of effort to became red? I believe this value (say, total difficulty of solved problems) can significantly vary.

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    8 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +32 Vote: I do not like it

    I agree. But I haven't said that, have I?

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      8 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +25 Vote: I do not like it

      You said smth close to that in Q3. It states everybody can became red in two years. I spent almost four years training before I became red (through, I was busy with math olympiads mostly in that time).

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        8 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it +30 Vote: I do not like it

        I think that with such beautiful math background like yours it can be done even faster :)

        But yes, two years can be not enough for everyone. My idea was that everyone can become red if he/she will train hard. I'm sorry if my answer was confusing.

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          8 years ago, # ^ |
            Vote: I like it +18 Vote: I do not like it

          Thanks ^_^
          I also believe important point is to solve hard problems (harder than current level), not just solve problems. Solving div2-A will not benefit in any way.

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8 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it -37 Vote: I do not like it

It was very offensive

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6 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +17 Vote: I do not like it

What do you do during your leisure time? Please say video games and not stuff like chess or solving puzzles.

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +52 Vote: I do not like it

    Actually that is true. I think I spend more time on video games than on CP for last couple of years. Right now I'm somewhere in the middle of playthrough of Breath of the Wild.

    Though solving puzzles also can be a valid answer since I like puzzle games like Portal and The Witness.

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6 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it -12 Vote: I do not like it

What do you eat for breakfast? Any foods better for enhancing the brain functions? Physical exercise? (I'm surprised nobody asked that yet :D )

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5 years ago, # |
← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it -76 Vote: I do not like it

Do Red Color Coders understand Women ? PS: Just a joke. I totally respect women.

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    5 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it -41 Vote: I do not like it

    Hehe... That's a good one.

    I dont know why people, take jokes seriously. I mean I'mma woman, but I didnt get offended.

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      5 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +31 Vote: I do not like it

      We aren’t offended it’s a shit joke

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        5 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

        ok, I am sorry then. I totally respect this community. I won't post such comments from next time on.!

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4 months ago, # |
  Vote: I like it -48 Vote: I do not like it

just use the ex sponsors to cheat

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