How would you be a great competitive programmer from zero to hero
- Start by learning the basics of computer science and programming, such as data structures and algorithms. Recommended courses: "Introduction to Computer Science" and "Introduction to Programming"
- Learn a programming language, such as C++ or Python. Recommended book: "The C++ Programming Language" by Bjarne Stroustrup or "Python Crash Course" by Eric Matthes
- Learn how to implement basic data structures, such as arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, and trees. Recommended book: "Introduction to Algorithms" by Thomas H. Cormen, Charles E. Leiserson, Ronald L. Rivest, and Clifford Stein
- Learn how to implement basic algorithms, such as sorting, searching, and recursion. Recommended book: "Algorithms" by Robert Sedgewick and Kevin Wayne
- Learn how to optimize your code for speed and memory usage. Recommended book: "Effective C++" by Scott Meyers
- Learn more advanced algorithms and data structures, such as dynamic programming, graph algorithms, and advanced tree data structures. Recommended book: "Introduction to Algorithms" by Thomas H. Cormen, Charles E. Leiserson, Ronald L. Rivest, and Clifford Stein
- Practice solving problems on online judges, such as CodeForces, LeetCode, and HackerRank. Also, participate in online contests and local coding competitions.
- Learn more advanced topics, such as machine learning, computer networks, and operating systems. Recommended book: "Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective" by Randal E. Bryant and David R. O'Hallaron
- Keep practicing and participating in contests, and also try to mentor or teach others to solidify your own understanding and 10. improve your communication skills.
- Join a competitive programming community, such as TopCoder or CodeForces, and participate in their contests and forums to network with other competitive programmers and learn from their experiences