Coding competition for beginners is the solving of coding problems with the help of algorithms and data designed for beginners. It is usually under numerous constraints and rules. Competitive coding is likely to be under a time limit, memory-based, space-based, etc. This is a complex exercise and involves pre-requisite knowledge of coding and programming. Competitive coding is instrumental in gaining jobs in huge multinational corporations and giants. It also improves one’s analytical reasoning, logical thinking, and decision-making skills.
One will need to possess some of the prerequisites for these competitions, such as competitive coding math skills, the ability to divide problems into smaller parts, fast backtracking, keeping up with intensive time limits, and more.
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10 Websites for Coding Competition for Beginners
There are numerous platforms and websites that coach beginners in competitive coding. Some of them are listed below:
1. Hackerearth
Free
Level: Moderately – very tough
Mode: Online
Hackerearth is a software solutions site. They also offer coding challenges for beginners. It provides various quizzes and tests to assess your coding knowledge. It also hosts hackathons and coding challenges that one can take up regularly. Beginners can take this up as a way to know where they stand and improve their skills.
2. CodeWars
Free
Level: Easy – very tough
Mode: Online
CodeWars platform is inspired by Japanese culture. The platform encourages the coder to first choose the programming language they are comfortable with. The coder is then asked to take a test to gauge their level. The proceeding challenges will be based on the level of proficiency of the coder. The levels are quite challenging and will require beginners to have a firm grasp of coding.
3. CodeGym
Free & paid
Level: Easy to moderately tough
Mode: Online
CodeGym is an interactive, online Java coding platform. It offers short lectures on all topics. Then it progresses to practical coding. Here, the coder is required to navigate a futuristic world and as the coder cracks one level, they get bonuses. CodeGym has many quests and there are over 1200 tasks in these quests for beginners to learn and practice coding from.
4. CodeChef
Free & paid
Level: Moderately tough
Mode: Online
CodeChef is a coding platform for beginners to develop and test their programming skills. It offers monthly coding contests and allows coders to submit solutions in over 55 programming languages. It also conducts coding competitions year-round. It offers many options to learn- self-learning, mentored learning, and doubt support. The courses range from free to paid ones.
5. Exercism
Free
Level: Easy- Moderately tough
Mode: Online
Exercism is a free online coding platform for beginners. It offers coders over 50 programming languages to pick from and code. It is also quite easy for beginners to grasp. Exercism offers easy and simple courses to grasp complex languages like Python and Javascript. This language has a range of exercises. It also offers us the option to view our work from start to finish. This can help us track our progress.
6. LeetCode
Free & paid
Level: Moderately tough
Mode: Online
Leetcode is an online platform that offers many coding exercises to sharpen your coding skills. It also offers weekly contests. Winning in these contests helps one increase their ranks and points. This can be used as a credible achievement for your career. It also offers coaching for interviews, discussions, and more! LeetCode offers a community space for coders to interact and share their experiences and tips.
7 CodeForces
Free
Level: Moderately tough
Mode: Online
CodeForces hosts coding contests regularly. The winners get to look at the codes of other participants and suggest changes. It offers competitive coding courses at different levels and languages. It offers one the option to engage with fellow coders as well, as to widen one’s programming knowledge.
8. HackerRank
Free
Level: Moderately tough
Mode: Online
HackerRank is a leading competitive coding platform that offers many programming challenges with numerous specifications. It enables coders to choose any language of their choosing and code. Some of its famous challenges are 101-Hack, where one is supposed to solve a series of 5 challenges in 2 hours, and Week of Code where one new challenge is offered for a week, every day. The challenges get progressively tough.
9. TopCoder
Free
Level: Tough
Mode: Online
TopCoder is an advanced competitive coding website and beginners need a strong grasp of coding to use it. But it offers many tasks to hone one’s programming skills. It hosts single-round matches for competitive coding. Here, participants compete against each other in a time-intensive coding battle. Once you master coding, you can also gain full-time or freelance employment in TopCoder.
10. LightOJ
Free
Level: Easy
Mode: Online
LightOJ is a good option for beginners to start their journey in competitive coding. Apart from attempting the contests hosted on the platform, coders can start their own contests as well. But they are required to win 25 contests to do that. It also provides a platform for coders to connect with their fellows and exchange coding tips.
Looking to learn coding? Explore Wiingy’s Online Coding Classes For Kids to learn from top coding experts.
FAQs
What is competitive coding?
Competitive coding is a sport where a coder uses data and algorithms to solve coding problems, under various constraints.
Is competitive coding easy for beginners?
Competitive coding ranges from easy to very tough.
Beginners will require some knowledge of programming before taking up competitive coding.
Are there free platforms to learn competitive coding?
Yes. There are many free platforms to learn competitive coding.
Is it possible to learn competitive coding online?
Yes. There are many websites that teach competitive coding online. They can be used as a platform to sharpen your coding skills as well.
List some free coding competitions for beginners.
Some free coding competitions for beginners are Hackerearth, LightOJ, Exercism, and many more!
