Guide to Competitive Programming

Guide to Competitive Programming
Author: Antti Laaksonen
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 286
Release: 2018-01-02
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 3319725475

This invaluable textbook presents a comprehensive introduction to modern competitive programming. The text highlights how competitive programming has proven to be an excellent way to learn algorithms, by encouraging the design of algorithms that actually work, stimulating the improvement of programming and debugging skills, and reinforcing the type of thinking required to solve problems in a competitive setting. The book contains many “folklore” algorithm design tricks that are known by experienced competitive programmers, yet which have previously only been formally discussed in online forums and blog posts. Topics and features: reviews the features of the C++ programming language, and describes how to create efficient algorithms that can quickly process large data sets; discusses sorting algorithms and binary search, and examines a selection of data structures of the C++ standard library; introduces the algorithm design technique of dynamic programming, and investigates elementary graph algorithms; covers such advanced algorithm design topics as bit-parallelism and amortized analysis, and presents a focus on efficiently processing array range queries; surveys specialized algorithms for trees, and discusses the mathematical topics that are relevant in competitive programming; examines advanced graph techniques, geometric algorithms, and string techniques; describes a selection of more advanced topics, including square root algorithms and dynamic programming optimization. This easy-to-follow guide is an ideal reference for all students wishing to learn algorithms, and practice for programming contests. Knowledge of the basics of programming is assumed, but previous background in algorithm design or programming contests is not necessary. Due to the broad range of topics covered at various levels of difficulty, this book is suitable for both beginners and more experienced readers.

Guide to Competitive Programming

Guide to Competitive Programming
Author: Antti Laaksonen
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 283
Release: 2018-01-22
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 9783319725468

This invaluable textbook presents a comprehensive introduction to modern competitive programming. The text highlights how competitive programming has proven to be an excellent way to learn algorithms, by encouraging the design of algorithms that actually work, stimulating the improvement of programming and debugging skills, and reinforcing the type of thinking required to solve problems in a competitive setting. The book contains many “folklore” algorithm design tricks that are known by experienced competitive programmers, yet which have previously only been formally discussed in online forums and blog posts. Topics and features: reviews the features of the C++ programming language, and describes how to create efficient algorithms that can quickly process large data sets; discusses sorting algorithms and binary search, and examines a selection of data structures of the C++ standard library; introduces the algorithm design technique of dynamic programming, and investigates elementary graph algorithms; covers such advanced algorithm design topics as bit-parallelism and amortized analysis, and presents a focus on efficiently processing array range queries; surveys specialized algorithms for trees, and discusses the mathematical topics that are relevant in competitive programming; examines advanced graph techniques, geometric algorithms, and string techniques; describes a selection of more advanced topics, including square root algorithms and dynamic programming optimization. This easy-to-follow guide is an ideal reference for all students wishing to learn algorithms, and practice for programming contests. Knowledge of the basics of programming is assumed, but previous background in algorithm design or programming contests is not necessary. Due to the broad range of topics covered at various levels of difficulty, this book is suitable for both beginners and more experienced readers.

Programming Challenges

Programming Challenges
Author: Steven S Skiena
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 376
Release: 2006-04-18
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 038722081X

There are many distinct pleasures associated with computer programming. Craftsmanship has its quiet rewards, the satisfaction that comes from building a useful object and making it work. Excitement arrives with the flash of insight that cracks a previously intractable problem. The spiritual quest for elegance can turn the hacker into an artist. There are pleasures in parsimony, in squeezing the last drop of performance out of clever algorithms and tight coding. The games, puzzles, and challenges of problems from international programming competitions are a great way to experience these pleasures while improving your algorithmic and coding skills. This book contains over 100 problems that have appeared in previous programming contests, along with discussions of the theory and ideas necessary to attack them. Instant online grading for all of these problems is available from two WWW robot judging sites. Combining this book with a judge gives an exciting new way to challenge and improve your programming skills. This book can be used for self-study, for teaching innovative courses in algorithms and programming, and in training for international competition. The problems in this book have been selected from over 1,000 programming problems at the Universidad de Valladolid online judge. The judge has ruled on well over one million submissions from 27,000 registered users around the world to date. We have taken only the best of the best, the most fun, exciting, and interesting problems available.

Competitive Programming in Python

Competitive Programming in Python
Author: Christoph Dürr
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 265
Release: 2020-12-17
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 1108658431

Want to kill it at your job interview in the tech industry? Want to win that coding competition? Learn all the algorithmic techniques and programming skills you need from two experienced coaches, problem setters, and jurors for coding competitions. The authors highlight the versatility of each algorithm by considering a variety of problems and show how to implement algorithms in simple and efficient code. Readers can expect to master 128 algorithms in Python and discover the right way to tackle a problem and quickly implement a solution of low complexity. Classic problems like Dijkstra's shortest path algorithm and Knuth-Morris-Pratt's string matching algorithm are featured alongside lesser known data structures like Fenwick trees and Knuth's dancing links. The book provides a framework to tackle algorithmic problem solving, including: Definition, Complexity, Applications, Algorithm, Key Information, Implementation, Variants, In Practice, and Problems. Python code included in the book and on the companion website.

Learn to Code by Solving Problems

Learn to Code by Solving Problems
Author: Daniel Zingaro
Publisher: No Starch Press
Total Pages: 392
Release: 2021-06-29
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 1718501331

Learn to Code by Solving Problems is a practical introduction to programming using Python. It uses coding-competition challenges to teach you the mechanics of coding and how to think like a savvy programmer. Computers are capable of solving almost any problem when given the right instructions. That’s where programming comes in. This beginner’s book will have you writing Python programs right away. You’ll solve interesting problems drawn from real coding competitions and build your programming skills as you go. Every chapter presents problems from coding challenge websites, where online judges test your solutions and provide targeted feedback. As you practice using core Python features, functions, and techniques, you’ll develop a clear understanding of data structures, algorithms, and other programming basics. Bonus exercises invite you to explore new concepts on your own, and multiple-choice questions encourage you to think about how each piece of code works. You’ll learn how to: Run Python code, work with strings, and use variables Write programs that make decisions Make code more efficient with while and for loops Use Python sets, lists, and dictionaries to organize, sort, and search data Design programs using functions and top-down design Create complete-search algorithms and use Big O notation to design more efficient code By the end of the book, you’ll not only be proficient in Python, but you’ll also understand how to think through problems and tackle them with code. Programming languages come and go, but this book gives you the lasting foundation you need to start thinking like a programmer.

Algorithmic Thinking

Algorithmic Thinking
Author: Daniel Zingaro
Publisher: No Starch Press
Total Pages: 409
Release: 2020-12-15
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 1718500807

A hands-on, problem-based introduction to building algorithms and data structures to solve problems with a computer. Algorithmic Thinking will teach you how to solve challenging programming problems and design your own algorithms. Daniel Zingaro, a master teacher, draws his examples from world-class programming competitions like USACO and IOI. You'll learn how to classify problems, choose data structures, and identify appropriate algorithms. You'll also learn how your choice of data structure, whether a hash table, heap, or tree, can affect runtime and speed up your algorithms; and how to adopt powerful strategies like recursion, dynamic programming, and binary search to solve challenging problems. Line-by-line breakdowns of the code will teach you how to use algorithms and data structures like: The breadth-first search algorithm to find the optimal way to play a board game or find the best way to translate a book Dijkstra's algorithm to determine how many mice can exit a maze or the number of fastest routes between two locations The union-find data structure to answer questions about connections in a social network or determine who are friends or enemies The heap data structure to determine the amount of money given away in a promotion The hash-table data structure to determine whether snowflakes are unique or identify compound words in a dictionary NOTE: Each problem in this book is available on a programming-judge website. You'll find the site's URL and problem ID in the description. What's better than a free correctness check?

Programming Interviews Exposed

Programming Interviews Exposed
Author: John Mongan
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 303
Release: 2011-08-10
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 1118169387

The pressure is on during the interview process but with the right preparation, you can walk away with your dream job. This classic book uncovers what interviews are really like at America's top software and computer companies and provides you with the tools to succeed in any situation. The authors take you step-by-step through new problems and complex brainteasers they were asked during recent technical interviews. 50 interview scenarios are presented along with in-depth analysis of the possible solutions. The problem-solving process is clearly illustrated so you'll be able to easily apply what you've learned during crunch time. You'll also find expert tips on what questions to ask, how to approach a problem, and how to recover if you become stuck. All of this will help you ace the interview and get the job you want. What you will learn from this book Tips for effectively completing the job application Ways to prepare for the entire programming interview process How to find the kind of programming job that fits you best Strategies for choosing a solution and what your approach says about you How to improve your interviewing skills so that you can respond to any question or situation Techniques for solving knowledge-based problems, logic puzzles, and programming problems Who this book is for This book is for programmers and developers applying for jobs in the software industry or in IT departments of major corporations. Wrox Beginning guides are crafted to make learning programming languages and technologies easier than you think, providing a structured, tutorial format that will guide you through all the techniques involved.

Concise Guide to Object-Oriented Programming

Concise Guide to Object-Oriented Programming
Author: Kingsley Sage
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 204
Release: 2019-04-23
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 3030133044

This engaging textbook provides an accessible introduction to coding and the world of Object-Oriented (OO) programming, using Java as the illustrative programming language. Emphasis is placed on what is most helpful for the first-time coder, in order to develop and understand their knowledge and skills in a way that is relevant and practical. The examples presented in the text demonstrate how skills in OO programming can be used to create applications and programs that have real-world value in daily life. Topics and features: presents an overview of programming and coding, a brief history of programming languages, and a concise introduction to programming in Java using BlueJ; discusses classes and objects, reviews various Java library objects and packages, and introduces the idea of the Application Programming Interface (API); highlights how OO design forms an essential role in producing a useful solution to a problem, and the importance of the concept of class polymorphism; examines what to do when code encounters an error condition, describing the exception handling mechanism and practical measures in defensive coding; investigates the work of arrays and collections, with a particular focus on fixed length arrays, the ArrayList, HashMap and HashSet; describes the basics of building a Graphical User Interface (GUI) using Swing, and the concept of a design pattern; outlines two complete applications, from conceptual design to implementation, illustrating the content covered by the rest of the book; provides code for all examples and projects at an associated website. This concise guide is ideal for the novice approaching OO programming for the first time, whether they are a student of computer science embarking on a one-semester course in this area, or someone learning for the purpose of professional development or self-improvement. The text does not require any prior knowledge of coding, software engineering, OO, or mathematics.

UNIX Systems Programming

UNIX Systems Programming
Author: Kay A. Robbins
Publisher: Prentice Hall Professional
Total Pages: 936
Release: 2003
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 9780130424112

bull; Learn UNIX essentials with a concentration on communication, concurrency, and multithreading techniques bull; Full of ideas on how to design and implement good software along with unique projects throughout bull; Excellent companion to Stevens' Advanced UNIX System Programming