FAQ

This is a list of frequently asked questions about competitive programming, organized by category.

Getting started

• How do I get started with competitive programming?

Getting better

• How do I get better at competitive programming?

Algorithms and data structures

• What algorithms and data structures do I need to know for competitive programming?
• What are some good problems for practicing (algorithm/data structure)?

People

• How did (person) become a top competitive programmer?
• Why is (group) good/bad at competitive programming?
• What advice does (person) have for competitive programming success?

Online judges

• What are the pros and cons of each online judge?

Contests

• How do I prepare for (contest)?
• What was it like to participate in (contest)?

Competitive programming vs. professional programming

• Should I spend my time on competitive programming or real-world software development?

Problems

• How do I solve (problem)?
• What are some good competitive programming problems?
• How long should I work on a competitive programming problem before looking at the answer?

Interviews and jobs

• How do I prepare for a coding interview?
• Will competitive programming success help me get a programming job?

Notes

• For another view of these questions, see the frequently asked questions category page.
• For much more information about this Wiki and FAQ, see Competitive Programming Frequently Asked Questions: 2018 In Review.