This dilemma always comes up for those college students engrossed in learning programming. What to invest more of their time on? Software programming vis-a-vis competitive programming.
Let’s start by comparing the two.
What is Competitive programming?
Competitive programming is what most college students do to hone their algorithmic knowledge and mastery over various data structures. It not only improves problem solving capability but also augments a person’s speed and accuracy when solving such problems. Competitive programming is basically taking programming up as a sport. Participants are given a set amount of time to solve a number of complex algorithmic questions. It tests a person’s raw thinking capability and ability to grasp problems. It expects an extremely fast solution which need not be the simplest one possible.
What is Software programming?
Software programming is less of a perfect science, compared to the calculated laser precision of competitive programming. You are expected to solve real world problems, in a way that is simple, efficient and also easy to maintain. You are not expected to use complex algorithms to calculate the answer in milliseconds, but to write simple code which gets the job done in reasonable time. Software programming is the development of apps which run on mobile, PC and other platforms.
Now let’s get to the differences between the two :
Competitive Programming
- The problem is solvable within the given time and constraints using the given resources
- Short time commitment and instant gratification
- Skill level is easily quantified
Software Programming
- The problem “may” be solvable within the given time and constraints using the given resources
- Long time commitment and gradual gratification
- Skill level is not easily quantifiable
So which one should you do ?
There is no right answer to this question. Most interviews are composed of algorithmic questions but the actual job will entail more of software programming. So it is obviously healthy to have a good mix of both under your belt by the time you start job hunting, The ratio of that mix is left to you to figure out.
Happy Coding,
Karthikeyan M
Karthi
Karthikeyan M : Geek, Gamer, Coder, Blogger - he shares his love of Technology in the form of tutorials, reviews, and how-to’s. An avid reader, he is a student at SRM university pursuing his B.Tech. in Information Technology.
