Programming is a very important skill for IT. Being a skilled programmer is a tough task, but it’s not impossible. Mastering a programming language needs much practice with hard work and determination.
There are many high level languages to learn programming. The first and foremost step of mastering a language is learning the syntax of that language and perfect use of the syntax. In this process this can help you:
Though practice can develop your skill, but this is not the only requirement to become a master coder. And you can’t even measure your improvement over time, if you just practice programming. That’s why, you should participate in programming competition along with practice. Because, competitive programming has many benefits, like helps you to learn new things, increases thinking capacity, developing skill to solve real world problem, and opportunity to interact with the world’s best programmers etc. Most important matter is that, competition makes programming more exciting and learning in that way is more effective.
Best Coding Challenge Websites
There are a lot of coding challenge websites which give you opportunity to compete with other programmers of the world by hosting contests and offering many exciting prizes for the winners. There are also challenges for you to make you stronger programmer.
Also read: Best Java Books for Beginners to Advanced Programmers
I have made a list of 10 best coding challenge websites for competitive programming. Hope this will help you to choose one of the best sites to compete with others and eventually make you a skilled programmer.
1. Coderbyte
Coderbyte is an amazing site where you can practice programming and improve your coding skill. There are coding challenges that range in difficulty. Also, you can solve the challenges directly online in 10 programming languages. Coderbyte provides you courses in web development, algorithms, data structures and as well as some preparation courses for coding boot camps. Here, you will be rated based on your performance. So, hurry up and take the challenges.
2. HackerRank
HackerRank provides you many coding challenges to improve your skill and the editorials of these challenges are available. There is also leader-board for each challenge. You can participate in contests to compete with others. This site is very helpful for the beginner and intermediate. You can also discuss your problems in the discussion board. HackerRank is also a technology hiring platform that is standard for assessing developers for over 1,500+ companies. Take challenges and get hired.
3. Codeforces
Codeforces is an excellent platform to compete with other programmers. This site arranges 2-3 or more contests in every week. There is also rating system based on your contest performance. More interesting matter is that, you can even virtually participate in the previous contests, if you miss out any. The editorial of the contests problems is available there. You can write blogs, talk with other users and even make friends. Regular participation on Codeforces contest will make you an expert in coding eventually.
4. TopCoder
Topcoder is one of the oldest sites for competitive programming and still one of the best and most popular sites. You can take the weekly challenges of Topcoder and improve your skill by solving them. You can participate in competition in different tracks. There are also so many tutorials which help you in learning. The amazing community helps you to being successful at Topcoder.
5. CodeWars
Codewars focus on helping you to achieve mastery through challenges. This offers you progressive challenges and support for 20 languages to solve them which is very amazing. By completing the challenges, you can earn points, climb rankings and unlock advanced challenges. This is a place where you can master programming through challenges, learning and fun.
6. CodeSignal
CodeSignal, previously known as CodeFights, is an amazing site to test and improve your skill through challenges and tournaments. Here, you can earn coins by solving problems and climb rankings. They work with certified assessments and you can collect badges by completing challenges. Most of the companies hire employee from this site based on their performance. In fact, you can learn many new things in CodeSignal.
7. LeetCode
LeetCode is an excellent competitive programming website.
They offer challenges on algorithms, system design, database and many more categories. The challenges are really great for technical interviews. LeetCode organizes weekly and monthly contests. Also they offer cash prizes and gift cards for the best performers of the contests and challenges. Participation on these contests makes your coding skill more sharp.
8. CodeChef
Codechef is an Indian competitive programming website. This is one of the most popular competitive platforms for the world’s coders. CodeChef hosts three featured contests every month and give away prizes and goodies to the winners as encouragement. The platform is also open to the entire programming community to host their own contests. I recommend you to check out the site, if you are really love to learn through competitions.
9. AtCoder
AtCoder is another great coding challenge site. They organize three types of contests named as AGC, ARC and ABC. So, you can choose a contest to participate as your level.
AtCoder has rating system and the users are colored according to their rating. This really great for beginners and advanced to level up their coding skill.
10. SPOJ
SPOJ(Sphere Online Judge) is a coding challenge site with over 20,000 different coding challenges. They focus on helping you to become a master of coding. They hosts many contests and sometimes give prizes to the winners to inspire them. SPOJ also has a great community where you can get help.
Conclusion
Programming competition is actually brain wars. The faster your brain can analyze a problem, the faster your brain can think an efficient solution, the faster the wining possibility of you increases. So, the more you participate in the programming contests, the more your brain can think and the more your skill increases.
You can choose any of the sites, I have listed above so that you can participate in contests and take challenges along with your practice. This is how you can measure your improvement over time. Most important thing is that, it’s really effective, enjoyable and fun to learn through competition. If you know and like any other sites of competitive programming, you can share your opinion with us. And of course, if you have anything to know, please, do comment so that we can help you.