11–20 of 35 posts
How to become matheletes like them ? Any guides ? Books? Where to get started ? You suggest to learn python by it clearly says C,C++ and Pascal. Should I learn C++ as first language ? Help ?
How to become matheletes like them ? Any guides ? Books? Where to get started ? You suggest to learn python by it clearly says C,C++ and Pascal. Should I learn C++ as first language ? Help ?
They have guides, problems and online judging system.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I have to disagree. I participated in few algorithm competition (however much easier than IOI) and I think that: - OOP - C - functional python are redundant. Creating more advanced objects than graph vertex/edge is usually unnecessary in algorithm tasks. Functional programming - well, that would be useful sometimes, but as IOI and most similiar type competirions support C/C++/Pascal, you won't be able to use it anywa…
If I want to play Rachmaninov's second piano concerto, I don't start by trying to play it straight away. I start with simple pieces, with scales and arpeggios, and with speed exercises. I build my basics, initially leaving out things that I'm not ready for. I think learning Python first, and then the concepts behind both OOP and FP, better prepare someone for solving problems in languages like C++ than trying to star…
It's more like playing a simpler piece that everyone knows, like Canon in D. Except you learn to play it faster than anybody else.
You're giving advice on how to be a better programmer, which is significantly different from being a programmer who implements algorithms. In a programming competition, I don't go back and optimize my code. I test to see if it works, and go on to the next question.
But I'd be surprised if they didn't have some serious Vim-Fu going on as well.
It'd be interesting to observe their workflow, from editor choice to debugging methodology. Sure, choosing and developing a sensible algorithm is the "meaty" part. I, for one, am fairly impressed by the stuff these kids do. But I'd be surprised if they didn't have some serious Vim-Fu going on as well.
How to become matheletes like them ? Any guides ? Books? Where to get started ? You suggest to learn python by it clearly says C,C++ and Pascal. Should I learn C++ as first language ? Help ?
It walks you through the algorithms, though you need one of the languages.
There's some terse list at
that might help. (Disclosure: I started Algorithmist)
How to become matheletes like them ? Any guides ? Books? Where to get started ? You suggest to learn python by it clearly says C,C++ and Pascal. Should I learn C++ as first language ? Help ?
The thing is that most problems on such contests are designed so that classical algorithms are of no use in solving them -- the jury want you to figure out the answer, not to know it beforehand. Of course, there are some algorithms that are helpful anyway, but not many -- here is an almost complete list: merge sort, quicksort, radix sort, Dijkstra, DFS/BFS, Find-Union, KMP, sometimes Manacher and various maximum flow algorithms. Regarding data structures, the following ones are useful: self-balancing binary search trees, interval trees, (mergeable) priority queues.
Learning more algorithms will not help you nearly as much as solving more problems.
How to become matheletes like them ? Any guides ? Books? Where to get started ? You suggest to learn python by it clearly says C,C++ and Pascal. Should I learn C++ as first language ? Help ?
It'd be interesting to observe their workflow, from editor choice to debugging methodology. Sure, choosing and developing a sensible algorithm is the "meaty" part. I, for one, am fairly impressed by the stuff these kids do. But I'd be surprised if they didn't have some serious Vim-Fu going on as well.
There's very little usage of either Emacs or vim at these competitions (they seem to prefer a simple text editor). Also, they code fast , literally at the limit of how fast they can type! Maybe it's a consequence of the language choice (typically C++)...
Because it allows them to type as fast as they can, or because it forces them to do so?