nikhil_2601's blog

By nikhil_2601, history, 5 years ago, In English

Hello friends,

I am just a guy who knows how to code. I really want to learn competitive coding and hence I joined this site. Today, I participated in Div.3 round and I was not able to solve even a single problem from the contest. Before this, I practiced by sorting problemset collection on the basis of number of submissions and solved 10-15 problems. But yet, I was unable to solve a single problem in div.3 comp. I don't know why. Is competitive coding really about practice or am I just not that good?

Please, if anyone can guide me and provide me a way to practice .

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5 years ago, # |
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"But yet, I was unable to solve a single problem in div.3 comp. I don't know why. Is competitive coding really about practice or am I just not that good?"

If you cannot solve a single question in Div 3, you should really reconsider doing programming.

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5 years ago, # |
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"Is competitive coding really about practice or am I just not that good?"

No it's not really about practice. Some people just randomly get higher ratings over time. You just must not be that good... /s

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    5 years ago, # ^ |
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    i have seen some people struggling with basic problems for years without upsolving the problems they encounter and not learning new things and some who have become good by constant practice quicker than them.

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      5 years ago, # ^ |
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      Smh. Sure some people are naturally better than others, but it also depends on people's background and how they practice. Some people have done similar problem solving in other types of competitions or have more education in algorithms, but most importantly, people who don't improve practice wrong. Mostly people not improving are not doing problems higher than there rating, and if you never do that, how are you supposed to learn anything. I argue you learn much more looking at many editorials of "too hard" problems and implementing them than solving a bunch of problems you can on your own, though a healthy balance of both is what's best.

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5 years ago, # |
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You just started so 0 solve in Div 3 isn't that bad..If you are passionate just solve as many problem as you can, you will get better result in upcoming contest. Best of luck :)

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5 years ago, # |
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Understand that competitive programming comes more natural to some than others. That being said, anything is possible as long as you put in the work. Solving 10-15 very easy problems is definitely not enough practice, and probably not enough to start competing, but it's a good start. Try to finish the first page of problems sorted by submissions. If, at a certain point, you start solving these problems in less than 10 min, start learning new concepts like what graphs are or how dynamic programming works, and build that skill by doing those types problems on cf (there's tag filter). But ultimately, solving problems is how you get better. For a while, I was in the same position you were, but I didn't devote enough time to competitive programming. Once I started getting the hang of it, my rating skyrocketed.

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5 years ago, # |
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I keep solving problem everyday

the motivation is to become better?

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    5 years ago, # ^ |
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    I think I should not have started with contest this early. Anyways.

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      5 years ago, # ^ |
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      hey there actually, I think you've been lucky to be in a contest and see what "screwing up" means. you should not blame yourself because of the result, but remember that these results always happen even if you turn into the greatest programmer possible. at least you learned to "improve" instead of sitting down and crying. if this happened later, you could get much more depressed...

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5 years ago, # |
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This is such a beautiful community. I honestly did not expect any reply. You guys are fantastic. And yes, I am gonna practice more now. Yes, it may come naturally to some people. But now I have accepted that I am not one of those. Practice is all I can and will. Thank you all for helping out :)

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5 years ago, # |
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Solve around 50 more Div2A. problems and then try to solve a Div3A problem in Virtual contest mode. You may most probably be able to solve it. Try to solve problems from Atcoder.jp which holds ABC for beginners. They are much easier compared to Div3 and Div2 contests here.

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5 years ago, # |
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Start to learn and implement some classic algorithms and data structures, you can read the book "Competitive Programming 3" by Steven Halim, also for every problem you solve check others people code and see how they did it easier.

This blog contains advice from a red coder that won gold medal last year at IOI.

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5 years ago, # |
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When I started CP, I didn't know that there is a built in sort function in CPP for, like months. I used to write merge sort from scratch every time.

Once you study a lot of problems you'll learn how things work. And I say study, not solve, because you need to look at the tutorials and the solutions of other people. The small tricks they use and what optimisation you could've done in your solution. These things really help over just solving problems.

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5 years ago, # |
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I would suggest stop giving contests for a while and focus on your basics. Try geeks for geeks for improving basics.

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5 years ago, # |
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I practiced football by kicking a ball 10-15 times. Today was my first match and I didn't score.

Practice some more.

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    5 years ago, # ^ |
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    nice of u sir,I am following u on Utube.Will u share ur more experience on ur channel ,it is really helping me.

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5 years ago, # |
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Don't wait for motivation, just start it and then practice it.

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5 years ago, # |
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You can read this answer written by I_love_Tanya_Romanova

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5 years ago, # |
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Let me ask you a question, since when you are practising?? I am not a top coder to give you motivational speech but just a suggestion from my side. competitive programming is not something which can be achieved overnight, it requires a lot of practice. First, you should start by learning basics, like basic data structures and you should be good at implementing once you know the algorithm. Then think about the problem, if you are not good at implementing part, what good it is to know the solution. Like I said, "IT TAKES TIME".The question here is it worth spending soo much time? it entirely depends on you, if you have a zeal for programming and if you feel good when you solve a problem all by yourself then go for it. You get more ideas as you practice more, start from basics and go step by step, you will slowly find that you are improving. Just don't give up that soon. :)

Happy coding. Hope it helps and changes your mindset.

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5 years ago, # |
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This advice applies to complete noobs like I was.

Don't show yourself until you solve somewhere around 200 of the easiest problems on CF. If you still can't solve one problem in Div 3, well! solve more.

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5 years ago, # |
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That Green color bold text (Accepted) should be your true motivation. I am a beginner too & this is what it keeps me going on.... Just never miss editorials. I made that mistake a year ago. Hope you be successful:)