cohadar's blog

By cohadar, history, 8 months ago, In English

Language statistics on the latest div3 A problem show that around 85% of people are using C/C++ here.

This is INSANITY! You do not need C/C++.

Statistically speaking you will never reach div1 where using a really really fast language can make an edge. Statistically you can (by definition of elo) NEVER have the problem of language choice here.

Have you not noticed that all editorial solutions in your division are in the slowest language (python3): https://codeforces.com/blog/entry/120165

What is worse, using python3 in div2 and div3 gives you an advantage, because it is a simpler language, and code is shorter to type and easier to understand.

Look at this list of language popularity and think about it.

And if you must have a fast language using Golang or Java is both easier and more job profitable than C++.

Disclaimer: This ofc does not apply for people working/seeking a job in industries that require C++. And ofc this does not apply to you specifically, because we all know you are the future legendary grandmaster.

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8 months ago, # |
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Please give me that weed that you're smoking.

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8 months ago, # |
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I can't tell if this is a troll post or not, but I will reply anyway.

Statistically speaking you will never reach div1 where using a really really fast language can make an edge.

The normal solution to this Div3A gets TLE with python without fast IO, which not a lot of beginners know of. (I know this is just one example which does not mean much, but I still wanted to mention it)

Have you not noticed that all editorial solutions in your division are in the slowest language (python3)

Let's look at the last five Div3 contests, instead of just the last one:

  • #895, tutorials in Python
  • #894, tutorials in C++
  • #891, tutorials in Python and C++
  • #888, tutorials in C++
  • #888, tutorials in C++

Look at this list of language popularity and think about it.

"Python is more popular than C++ among general programmers but C++ is more popular among competitive programmers. Hmm...maybe I should start using Python in competitive programming, since competitive programmers clearly don't know what they're thinking about"

And if you must have a fast language using Golang or Java is both easier and more job profitable than C++.

I won't even get into this, but please don't think that being good at competitive programming will help you with getting a job (outside of India, and some other places I may not know of). Even you'll get a job more easily, you won't benefit that much from your CP skills.

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    8 months ago, # ^ |
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    It is most definitely not a troll post.

    And most definitely and (explicitly in the title) does not apply for div1, so I don't even know why you are replying as red here. This is a blog post specifically for low ranking people.

    The tutorials in C++ in div3 contest are simply personal preference of problem setter. You know as well as I do that they ALL can be solved with python3.

    And I am not giving any advice here that I am not following. You can check that my submissions are in python3, and I am better ranked than most people this blog post is aimed at.

    The simple fact remains: MOST people on codeforces are using C++ without any good reason.

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      8 months ago, # ^ |
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      I don't even know why you are replying as red here.

      I was just trying to disprove your arguments. It has nothing to do with me being red, I didn't bring up anything related to my skill level. I would've commented the same thing if I was blue.

      Thinking about it now, you're probably correct in saying that most people don't need to use C++. But you did a horrible job at conveying your message, and that's why a lot of people downvoted.

      To me it seems like you didn't get the point of my original comment. I wasn't trying to say that using python is bad for low-rated participants, I just wanted to show you why your arguments for using python are not very good.

      Python is easier and faster to code than C++ on average, but it also depends on what you're used to. Some people say C++ is difficult to understand; I don't find it difficult, but that doesn't say anything about others. There have been some cases in recent Div.3's, where an identical solution passes in C++ and doesn't in python (like the one I mentioned which you chose to ignore). Yes, all of these can be solved with python, but it might be a more difficult. But these cases are quite rare.