How to Get Started with Competitive Programming: A Complete Beginner's Guide

Competitive Programming
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:rocket: How to Get Started with Competitive Programming: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

In today’s tech-driven world, competitive programming (CP) has become one of the best ways to sharpen problem-solving skills, crack coding interviews, and even win global recognition through contests like Krybot, Codeforces, LeetCode, ICPC, and Google Code Jam.

But if you’re new to CP, you’re probably wondering:

“Where do I begin? What platform should I use? Do I need to be a math genius?”

The truth is, you don’t need to be a prodigy — but you do need consistency, curiosity, and a smart roadmap. This guide walks you through everything you need to get started, step by step.

:glowing_star: What Is Competitive Programming?

Competitive Programming is like a mental sport where programmers solve algorithmic problems under time constraints. It trains your brain to:

  • Think logically and abstractly
  • Write clean, efficient code
  • Solve real-world problems quickly

:bullseye: Why You Should Start Competitive Programming

  • Master Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA) — essential for coding interviews
  • Crack top companies like Google, Amazon, Meta, etc.
  • Build deep problem-solving confidence
  • Participate in global contests like Krybot, Codeforces, LeetCode Weekly, or ICPC
  • Even get internships and job offers through platforms like HackerRank or Turing

:compass: Step-by-Step Roadmap for Beginners

:white_check_mark: Step 1: Learn the Prerequisites

Before diving into CP, you need to be comfortable with at least one programming language.

Recommended Languages:

  • C++ – Fast, powerful STL (Standard Template Library), most widely used in CP
  • Python – Slower but easier to read and write (great for beginners)
  • Java – Balanced option with good libraries

:repeat_button: Pick one and stick with it. For serious CP, most people prefer C++.

What You Should Know First:

  • Loops (for, while)
  • Conditionals (if, else)
  • Functions
  • Arrays and Strings
  • Recursion (basic)

:books: Learn on:

:white_check_mark: Step 2: Choose Your CP Platform

Here are some of the best sites to get started:

Platform Best For Notes
Codeforces Standard CP + Ratings Core CP community, fast contests
AtCoder Beginner-friendly problems High-quality problems, short contests
LeetCode Interview prep + CP Great for beginners + placements
CodeChef Indian CP platform Long + short contests, practice hub
CSES Structured topic-wise practice Great for beginners in C++

:white_check_mark: Step 3: Start With Beginner Problems

:round_pushpin: Recommended: Start with CSES Problem Set (cses.fi)

Practice these basic categories:

  • Sorting and Searching
  • Prefix Sums
  • Binary Search
  • Two Pointers
  • Recursion and Backtracking

:pushpin: Tip:

Solve at least 50–100 beginner problems before jumping to advanced topics.

:white_check_mark: Step 4: Learn Key Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA)

Here’s the typical order of DSA topics:

:seedling: Basic Level

  • Arrays & Strings
  • Sorting (Bubble, Merge, Quick)
  • Searching (Linear, Binary)
  • Hashing & Maps

:herb: Intermediate Level

  • Recursion
  • Stacks & Queues
  • Linked Lists
  • Sliding Window
  • Two Pointers

:deciduous_tree: Advanced Level

  • Trees & Graphs (DFS, BFS)
  • Dynamic Programming (DP)
  • Greedy Algorithms
  • Union-Find (DSU)
  • Segment Trees / Binary Indexed Trees

:movie_camera: YouTube Series:

  • Striver’s DSA Sheet
  • Aditya Verma’s DP Series
  • Codeforces Editorials (for live contest solutions)
  • Krybots Youtube Channel

:white_check_mark: Step 5: Join Live Contests Regularly

Once you’re confident solving easy-medium problems:

:spiral_calendar: Participate in:

  • Codeforces Contests (every week)
  • AtCoder Beginner Contests (excellent quality)
  • CodeChef Long Challenge + Cook-Off
  • LeetCode Weekly Contests

:bullseye: Goal:

Try to solve 2–3 problems per contest. Don’t worry about ratings initially — just focus on learning.

After contests:

  • Always read editorials to learn better solutions.
  • Implement solutions you couldn’t solve during the contest.

:white_check_mark: Step 6: Use a Structured Practice Routine

:light_bulb: Daily Plan (for Students or Job Seekers)

Time Task
30 min Learn new DSA concept
1 hour Solve 2 easy/medium problems
2–3/week Join a live contest
Weekly Review unsolved problems & editorial

:white_check_mark: Step 7: Track Your Progress

Use tools like:

  • CP Tracker: cpvitals.vercel.app
  • StopStalk: Track your Codeforces/CodeChef history
  • Notion/Google Sheets: Log every new topic/problem you learn

:brain: Mindset Tips for CP Beginners

  • :flexed_biceps: Don’t compare ratings early. Everyone improves at their own pace.
  • :chart_decreasing: Getting stuck is normal. Spend 30–60 minutes per problem before seeing the solution.
  • :pushpin: Learn from editorial, then solve again from scratch.
  • :repeat_button: Practice daily, not all at once. CP is a long-term game.
  • :heart: Enjoy the process — treat it like a puzzle game, not an exam.

:technologist: Should You Learn CP for Interviews?

Absolutely — even basic CP builds strong foundations for:

  • Coding rounds in FAANG, Google, Amazon
  • Internships and off-campus hiring
  • Logical and analytical reasoning in SDE interviews

But if your only goal is interviews, platforms like LeetCode, InterviewBit, and Striver’s Sheet might be enough. For deep learning, CP is gold.

:compass: Sample Weekly Schedule for Beginners

Week 1–2:

  • Basics of C++/Python
  • Easy array and string problems
  • 1 contest/week

Week 3–4:

  • Learn recursion + hashing
  • Practice 30 problems on arrays
  • 1–2 contests/week

Week 5–8:

  • Move into Binary Search, Two Pointers
  • Start Trees & Graphs
  • Try AtCoder/Codeforces contests

:books: Free Resources to Bookmark

:rocket: Final Thoughts

Getting started with Competitive Programming can feel overwhelming, but the key is to take it step by step. Don’t aim to be a red coder in a month — aim to learn consistently and improve every week.

Remember: You don’t need to be a genius to do well. You just need to stay in the game longer than others.

Whether you’re aiming for an internship, a Google job, or just want to enjoy problem solving, competitive programming will make you a better coder — and thinker — for life.