In this article, I’ll share my experience with coding challenges and how you can become a better programmer.
Algorithms and data structures are essential to become a better developer. Knowing the best way to solve a problem will make you more valuable as you are saving both time and space. Hence money. Let’s see what you need then:
Practise makes perfect
Have you ever wondered how some people become so good at their craft? Look no further: practice. My experience told me that the more you practice something, the better you become at it.
Don’t give up
Saying a challenge is difficult and giving up won’t make you better.
By giving up on a problem, you are choosing not to horn your skills. You are choosing the easy way and easy ways don’t usually go anywhere.
Here are some tips to help you get motivated:
- Think about the problem for at least 2 hours
- If you can’t find a solution, do something else. Your mind will be still working on the problem in the background
- When you have an idea, jot it down on paper. Writing your ideas on paper is often how I find solutions for my coding challenges.
- In case you can’t figure it out, try again the next day. Use help as a last resort.
Problem-solving is difficult. And that’s why you should stick to it
Knowing how to solve a coding challenge is a valuable skill. Yet it comes with a price. And that price might be long hours of thinking to improve your skills.
So whenever a problem seems difficult, know that there are some new things you are learning. Dig deeper and if you can’t find the solution, try to find help (on Youtube or Google). Here are some websites that will help you get better at coding challenges:
Knowing how to solve coding challenges will make you a better programmer. You’ll have tools to build applications using the least space in the shortest time.
Until then!
