Introduction to Competitive Programming

CONTENTS

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

CODING PLATFORMS

STARTING WITH CP

RESOURCES

OPPORTUNITIES

ANNOUNCEMENT

DOUBTS SESSION

CODING PLATFORMS

1

MAJOR PLATFORMS

CODECHEF

CODEFORCES

HACKERRANK

HACKERRANK

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HackerRank is one of the best platforms to start coding. It contains a lot of problem ranging from Basic to Intermediate level.

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It is generally preferred for beginners as its UI is quite friendly, and has some good questions to start with.

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You can also filter questions by topics/tags.��Special Mention:

• Project Euler (good for Number Theory)

Important Links:� Languages: C++, Python

Problem Solving: Algorithms

TAGS

Brute-force, but you build your answer

BRUTE-FORCE

Try all possible solutions and then pick the best one

GREEDY

IMPLEMENTATION

NUMBER THEORY

WQSIWYC :p�What question says is what you code.

Missing JEE Maths?�Here it is!

BASIC TEMPLATE

Includes all possible�Header files, so you don’t have to take care of that.

}

Just mention these three lines to optimize the code.�Helps in fast Input/Output.

CODEFORCES

Rating is a measure of your performance. Each time, you participate in a Rated contest, your rating either increases or decreases, based upon your performance.

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Your initial rating is 0. As you gain rating points, you get promoted to different ranks. When you give your first contest, you become a Newbie. It can fall below 0 as well.

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CODEFORCES CONTESTS

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There are 3 main divisions in codeforces : Division 1, 2 and 3. Based on these divisions, there are several type of contests as well. A Rated contest affects your ratings. Unrated contests don’t affect your ratings.

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Division 3 contests rated for participants having rating < 1600.

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Division 2 contests and Educational rounds are rated for participants having rating < 2100.

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Division 2 contests often take place with Division 1 rounds as well. In this case, Division 2 round is rated for participants having rating < 1900 and Division 1 is rated for participants having rating >= 1900

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Global rounds and Division (1 + 2) contests are rated for all.

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Besides this, you can give contests virtually as well. A Virtual contest is basically a real time contest, the server simulates the events just like they occured in the real time contest, but again your rating won’t change.

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CODECHEF

Long Challenge

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Duration: 10 days

No. of Questions: 10

- Starts on the 1st friday of every month

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CookOff

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Duration: 2.5 hrs

No. of Questions: 5-6

- Held once in a month

Lunchtime

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Duration: 3 hrs

No. of Questions: 5-6

- Held once in a month

CodeChef is a competitive programming community set up by the Indian company, Directi that hosts 3 official contests per month, along with various external contests.

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The initial rating for a user is 1500 and it has some ranks based on your rating which will be discussed further. The rating increases or decreases according to the performance in rated contests and isn’t based on the no. of questions solved during practice.

HOW TO START WITH CP??

2

ROADMAP

Set up your environment and learn Basic C++/C.

STEP 3

Begin with A20J ladder A, thus get familiar with CodeForces.

STEP 1

STEP 5

Try some contests and ask doubts from mentors.

Start solving easy problems from HackerRank.

STEP 2

Learn basic concepts from COPS YouTube Channel.

STEP 4

IMPORTANT RESOURCES

3

MAJOR RESOURCES

Complete beginner playlist. Doc attached in the video description has additional resources and practice problems.

COPS YouTube Channel

GeeksForGeeks(GFG)

Any kind of doubt - just google it and write gfg

CP-Algorithms

Best content for any algorithm and topic.

COPS POTW

Collection of resources of various topics with problems made by seniors.

CP Handbook

Best book for those who really love to read. Given all techniques and methods in amazing way

OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIRLS

4

Intern Opportunities for girls after 2nd year

Adobe She Codes

Google STEP intern

Microsoft Codess

Uber SHE++

Adobe She Codes

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-- Registrations start in October.

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-- Shortlisting is done on the basis of your Resume.

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-- This is followed by a coding round.

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-- It is also based on DSA (Data Structures and Algorithms).

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-- Finally there’s an interview only if selected in the coding round.

Google STEP Intern

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-- Registrations generally start in December.

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-- Shortlisting is done on the basis of your Resume.

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-- If shortlisted the you are eligible for an interview which is mainly based on DSA.

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-- Generally there are two interviews but it is not necessary.

Microsoft Codess

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-- Registrations generally start in March.

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-- Shortlisting is done on the basis of a coding test again based on DSA.

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-- It is followed by an ideathon which is like a group discussion and solutions have to be found out for a problem statement.

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-- Finally there’s an interview round.

Uber SHE++

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-- Registrations generally start in March.

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-- Shortlisting is done on the basis of a coding test again based on DSA.

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-- If selected in the coding test then you’re eligible for a camp but there’s no internship after 2nd year plus you need not sit for the coding round during on campus internship tests as you’re eligible for interviews.

FUTURE PLANS

5

NP COMPETE

• First contest for freshers organised by second yearite of CPG.

• Tentative date is around 25th January. The final date will be announced soon.

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• It will be at least 24 hrs long contest (can be even more than that).

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• There is no defined syllabus, just implementation and some basic concepts are more than sufficient. (Refer COPS youtube beginner playlist)

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• The participation in NP Compete will be mandatory to be in the CPG group. The details will be shared later.

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THANKS!

copsiitbhu.co.in

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Club of Programmers,

IIT BHU Varanasi

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION?