(NB: Some users of dev.to are far better programming problem solvers than me. I'm more of an ace of all, master of none as my interests start from theoretical physics to pure math. But I composed this blog from my personal experience of C.P)
Whether you're aiming to ace coding interviews, win international contests, or just fall in love with problem solving, this is your complete roadmap to becoming a competitive programming beast. No fluff. No confusion. Just the path, step by step.
What Is Competitive Programming?
Competitive Programming (CP) is a mind sport where you solve well-defined algorithmic problems under time constraints. Think of it like chess, but with code and logic puzzles. It's the breeding ground for elite problem solvers like Google Code Jam champions, IOI and IMO medalists, and legendary coders on platforms like Codeforces and AtCoder.
Step 1: The Mindset Reset
Before writing your first line of code, adopt these core beliefs:
- Consistency beats talent.
- Every bug is a lesson. Don’t fear failure—debug it.
- Speed comes after mastery. Start slow. Learn cleanly.
Step 2: Set Up Your Arsenal
Programming Language:
- C++ (most popular for CP: STL, speed)
- Alternatives: Python (good for beginners), Java (OK, but verbose)
Tools:
- VS Code / Sublime / Geany – Fast local editors
- Online Judges – Codeforces, AtCoder, LeetCode (for interviews), CodeChef, CSES
- CP Editor / Vim + Competitive Companion – For faster testing
Step 3: The Climb — Roadmap by Rating
Beginner (0–1200):
- Learn I/O, loops, conditionals, arrays, functions
- Practice:
Alevel problems on Codeforces, CSES Problem Set (intro section) - Focus: Brute-force, simulation, basic math
Intermediate (1200–1600):
- Learn: Prefix sums, binary search, greedy, two pointers
- Start implementing your own algorithms
- Solve
BandClevel problems
Advanced (1600–2000+):
- Master: DP, trees, graphs (BFS/DFS), number theory, combinatorics, geometry
- Practice:
DandEproblems, virtual contests
Master (2000+):
- Deepen knowledge: Segment trees, Fenwick trees, FFT, flows, HLD, centroid, line sweep
- Join ICPC, Codeforces Div 1, AtCoder Grand Contests
- Read editorials after solving — not before
🧠 Theory You Must Know (With Order)
| Topic | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Time Complexity | 🔹 | O(n), O(log n), etc |
| Binary Search | 🔹 | Classic technique |
| Greedy | 🔹 | Intuition-based |
| Two Pointers | 🔹 | Sliding window, etc |
| Recursion & DP | 🔸 | Fibonacci, knapsack, memoization |
| Trees & Graphs | 🔸 | BFS, DFS, tree traversal |
| Number Theory | 🔸 | GCD, mod, Fermat, primes |
| Advanced DP | 🔶 | Bitmask DP, DP on trees |
| Segment Trees | 🔶 | Range queries |
| Geometry / Flows | 🔶 | For high rating contests |
🔄 Daily Practice Schedule
🕐 1 Hour – Upsolve problems you couldn’t solve yesterday
🕐 1 Hour – New problems (rated/unrated)
🕐 1 Hour – Learn or revise one algorithm/theory
📚 Weekend – Virtual contests + Editorials
🔗 Resources
Books:
- Competitive Programming by Halim
- CP4 (Competitive Programming 4)
- Art of Problem Solving (for math fundamentals)
Websites:
YouTube Channels:
Extra Advice
- Join a community (Discord, Codeforces groups, Reddit)
- Track your progress (create a Notion/Obsidian diary. Note EVERYTHING)
- Take breaks — CP is a marathon, not a sprint, don't exhaust yourself
- Teach what you learn: mentoring multiplies understanding. (Feynman thinks so too)
Conclusion
Becoming a master of competitive programming won’t happen overnight. But if you stay consistent, curious, and never shy away from hard problems — you’ll transform into the kind of coder that companies chase and contests fear.
Now's the time to lock in and best of luck.
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