programming for problem solving

Problem Solving

Foundations course, introduction.

Before we start digging into some pretty nifty JavaScript, we need to begin talking about problem solving : the most important skill a developer needs.

Problem solving is the core thing software developers do. The programming languages and tools they use are secondary to this fundamental skill.

From his book, “Think Like a Programmer” , V. Anton Spraul defines problem solving in programming as:

Problem solving is writing an original program that performs a particular set of tasks and meets all stated constraints.

The set of tasks can range from solving small coding exercises all the way up to building a social network site like Facebook or a search engine like Google. Each problem has its own set of constraints, for example, high performance and scalability may not matter too much in a coding exercise but it will be vital in apps like Google that need to service billions of search queries each day.

New programmers often find problem solving the hardest skill to build. It’s not uncommon for budding programmers to breeze through learning syntax and programming concepts, yet when trying to code something on their own, they find themselves staring blankly at their text editor not knowing where to start.

The best way to improve your problem solving ability is by building experience by making lots and lots of programs. The more practice you have the better you’ll be prepared to solve real world problems.

In this lesson we will walk through a few techniques that can be used to help with the problem solving process.

Lesson overview

This section contains a general overview of topics that you will learn in this lesson.

• Explain the three steps in the problem solving process.
• Explain what pseudocode is and be able to use it to solve problems.
• Be able to break a problem down into subproblems.

Understand the problem

The first step to solving a problem is understanding exactly what the problem is. If you don’t understand the problem, you won’t know when you’ve successfully solved it and may waste a lot of time on a wrong solution .

To gain clarity and understanding of the problem, write it down on paper, reword it in plain English until it makes sense to you, and draw diagrams if that helps. When you can explain the problem to someone else in plain English, you understand it.

Now that you know what you’re aiming to solve, don’t jump into coding just yet. It’s time to plan out how you’re going to solve it first. Some of the questions you should answer at this stage of the process:

• Does your program have a user interface? What will it look like? What functionality will the interface have? Sketch this out on paper.
• What inputs will your program have? Will the user enter data or will you get input from somewhere else?
• What’s the desired output?
• Given your inputs, what are the steps necessary to return the desired output?

The last question is where you will write out an algorithm to solve the problem. You can think of an algorithm as a recipe for solving a particular problem. It defines the steps that need to be taken by the computer to solve a problem in pseudocode.

Pseudocode is writing out the logic for your program in natural language instead of code. It helps you slow down and think through the steps your program will have to go through to solve the problem.

Here’s an example of what the pseudocode for a program that prints all numbers up to an inputted number might look like:

This is a basic program to demonstrate how pseudocode looks. There will be more examples of pseudocode included in the assignments.

Divide and conquer

From your planning, you should have identified some subproblems of the big problem you’re solving. Each of the steps in the algorithm we wrote out in the last section are subproblems. Pick the smallest or simplest one and start there with coding.

It’s important to remember that you might not know all the steps that you might need up front, so your algorithm may be incomplete -— this is fine. Getting started with and solving one of the subproblems you have identified in the planning stage often reveals the next subproblem you can work on. Or, if you already know the next subproblem, it’s often simpler with the first subproblem solved.

Many beginners try to solve the big problem in one go. Don’t do this . If the problem is sufficiently complex, you’ll get yourself tied in knots and make life a lot harder for yourself. Decomposing problems into smaller and easier to solve subproblems is a much better approach. Decomposition is the main way to deal with complexity, making problems easier and more approachable to solve and understand.

In short, break the big problem down and solve each of the smaller problems until you’ve solved the big problem.

Solving Fizz Buzz

To demonstrate this workflow in action, let’s solve Fizz Buzz

Understanding the problem

Write a program that takes a user’s input and prints the numbers from one to the number the user entered. However, for multiples of three print Fizz instead of the number and for the multiples of five print Buzz . For numbers which are multiples of both three and five print FizzBuzz .

This is the big picture problem we will be solving. But we can always make it clearer by rewording it.

Write a program that allows the user to enter a number, print each number between one and the number the user entered, but for numbers that divide by 3 without a remainder print Fizz instead. For numbers that divide by 5 without a remainder print Buzz and finally for numbers that divide by both 3 and 5 without a remainder print FizzBuzz .

Does your program have an interface? What will it look like? Our FizzBuzz solution will be a browser console program, so we don’t need an interface. The only user interaction will be allowing users to enter a number.

What inputs will your program have? Will the user enter data or will you get input from somewhere else? The user will enter a number from a prompt (popup box).

What’s the desired output? The desired output is a list of numbers from 1 to the number the user entered. But each number that is divisible by 3 will output Fizz , each number that is divisible by 5 will output Buzz and each number that is divisible by both 3 and 5 will output FizzBuzz .

Writing the pseudocode

What are the steps necessary to return the desired output? Here is an algorithm in pseudocode for this problem:

Dividing and conquering

As we can see from the algorithm we developed, the first subproblem we can solve is getting input from the user. So let’s start there and verify it works by printing the entered number.

With JavaScript, we’ll use the “prompt” method.

The above code should create a little popup box that asks the user for a number. The input we get back will be stored in our variable answer .

We wrapped the prompt call in a parseInt function so that a number is returned from the user’s input.

With that done, let’s move on to the next subproblem: “Loop from 1 to the entered number”. There are many ways to do this in JavaScript. One of the common ways - that you actually see in many other languages like Java, C++, and Ruby - is with the for loop :

If you haven’t seen this before and it looks strange, it’s actually straightforward. We declare a variable i and assign it 1: the initial value of the variable i in our loop. The second clause, i <= answer is our condition. We want to loop until i is greater than answer . The third clause, i++ , tells our loop to increment i by 1 every iteration. As a result, if the user inputs 10, this loop would print numbers 1 - 10 to the console.

Most of the time, programmers find themselves looping from 0. Due to the needs of our program, we’re starting from 1

With that working, let’s move on to the next problem: If the current number is divisible by 3, then print Fizz .

We are using the modulus operator ( % ) here to divide the current number by three. If you recall from a previous lesson, the modulus operator returns the remainder of a division. So if a remainder of 0 is returned from the division, it means the current number is divisible by 3.

After this change the program will now output this when you run it and the user inputs 10:

The program is starting to take shape. The final few subproblems should be easy to solve as the basic structure is in place and they are just different variations of the condition we’ve already got in place. Let’s tackle the next one: If the current number is divisible by 5 then print Buzz .

When you run the program now, you should see this output if the user inputs 10:

We have one more subproblem to solve to complete the program: If the current number is divisible by 3 and 5 then print FizzBuzz .

We’ve had to move the conditionals around a little to get it to work. The first condition now checks if i is divisible by 3 and 5 instead of checking if i is just divisible by 3. We’ve had to do this because if we kept it the way it was, it would run the first condition if (i % 3 === 0) , so that if i was divisible by 3, it would print Fizz and then move on to the next number in the iteration, even if i was divisible by 5 as well.

With the condition if (i % 3 === 0 && i % 5 === 0) coming first, we check that i is divisible by both 3 and 5 before moving on to check if it is divisible by 3 or 5 individually in the else if conditions.

The program is now complete! If you run it now you should get this output when the user inputs 20:

• Read How to Think Like a Programmer - Lessons in Problem Solving by Richard Reis.
• Watch How to Begin Thinking Like a Programmer by Coding Tech. It’s an hour long but packed full of information and definitely worth your time watching.
• Read this Pseudocode: What It Is and How to Write It article from Built In.

Knowledge check

The following questions are an opportunity to reflect on key topics in this lesson. If you can’t answer a question, click on it to review the material, but keep in mind you are not expected to memorize or master this knowledge.

• What are the three stages in the problem solving process?
• Why is it important to clearly understand the problem first?
• What can you do to help get a clearer understanding of the problem?
• What are some of the things you should do in the planning stage of the problem solving process?
• What is an algorithm?
• What is pseudocode?
• What are the advantages of breaking a problem down and solving the smaller problems?

Additional resources

This section contains helpful links to related content. It isn’t required, so consider it supplemental.

• Read the first chapter in Think Like a Programmer: An Introduction to Creative Problem Solving ( not free ). This book’s examples are in C++, but you will understand everything since the main idea of the book is to teach programmers to better solve problems. It’s an amazing book and worth every penny. It will make you a better programmer.
• Watch this video on repetitive programming techniques .
• Watch Jonathan Blow on solving hard problems where he gives sage advice on how to approach problem solving in software projects.

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20 Code Challenges To Put What You’re Learning to the Test

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Code challenges help you build problem-solving skills, better understand the programming language you use, and get to know algorithms you may not be familiar with. If you want to improve your skills in programming, there’s no better way than by writing code. In addition, coding challenges are convenient because they allow you to exercise your skills on a bite-sized problem and rarely require you to build a complete application, so you can usually complete them rather quickly.

Code challenges are also part of most coding interviews. Hiring managers may see the skills listed on your resume, and you may be able to talk like a programmer, but they also want to know that you can write code. By having you solve a coding challenge, they can assess your skills and be sure you can do the job. So working on coding challenges will also help you prepare for job interviews. We’ve collected 20 popular code challenges to get you started.

Learn something new for free

Intro to chatgpt, general programming challenges.

While most code challenges are small in scope, that doesn’t mean they won’t involve a complex solution, so it is best to choose a challenge that stretches your skills but isn’t completely out of your league. Below, we’ve ranked a few coding challenges by their complexity so you can find the best challenge for your skill level.

Basic code challenges

These are good beginner challenges. They may not actually show up in a coding interview, but everyone has to start somewhere. These challenges are good for practicing your skills at using a programming language.

• Build a binary search tree .
• Write a program that prints the numbers from 1 to 100. But for multiples of three, print Fizz instead of the number, and multiples of five, print Buzz. For numbers that are multiples of both three and five, print FizzBuzz .
• Print Hello World in several different ways in a programming language .
• Code in a new language .
• Write a function that will take a given string and reverse the order of the words .
• Write a function that will find the 50th number in the Fibonacci Sequence .
• Write a function that tests if a number, n, is a prime number .

Intermediate code challenges

These code challenges are examples of what might be asked in interviews. There may be a big difference in difficulty compared to the basic challenges. If you get stuck on these, go back to the basics, practice more, and you will get there.

• Write a function to check that a binary search tree is balanced .
• Write a function to reverse the order of words that have punctuation and keep the punctuation in place .
• Given two words (beginWord and endWord) and a dictionary’s word list, find the length of the shortest transformation sequence from beginWord to endWord .
• Write a function that will find the nth number in the Fibonacci Sequence .
• Write a function that will print out all prime numbers in a given string .

Hard code challenges

The point of these challenges is to challenge you, which will help you learn more. These will be similar to the type of work you’ll do on the job. Most of these challenges will be hard but use Big O notation and expect a certain type of performance. If you are struggling with these, search StackOverflow or Google for direction. Many developers have run into these types of problems and will help you find the solution. Just don’t cheat and copy the answer. What good would that do?

• Write a function that inserts a list of n numbers into a binary search tree that runs at O(n log n) time .
• Write a function to reverse the order of words with punctuation and keep the punctuation in place that runs at 0(n) time .
• Write a function that will find the nth number in the Fibonacci Sequence and runs at O(n) time .
• Write a function that tests if a number, n, is a prime number and a function that will print out all prime numbers in a given string as efficiently as possible .

Technology specific challenges

If you want to try some coding challenges that will test your skills on specific technologies, we have a few of those challenges.

Web development code challenges

• Build a web page for your favorite band . A fun challenge can be creating a webpage for your favorite musical artist. Start by using only static HTML , and if you want to challenge yourself, even more, add CSS and JavaScript . Then, for extra credit, build it in a front-end framework like React and make it an interactive experience.
• Recreate a magazine layout using Semantic HTML and CSS Flexbox . It is not always that easy to recreate a design. This code challenge will really test your skills with HTML and CSS by having you recreate a design from scratch on your own. Once you are a working web developer, you will be doing this daily.
• Build a static portfolio site . Once you finish the first two web development challenges listed here, you will have demonstrated your skills in web development. So why not take it a step further and show off those skills to the world or a potential employer by building a portfolio site? With this challenge, you will do just that. You can use HTML and CSS and, if you want, JavaScript. If you need help creating a portfolio, watch the video below for a step-by-step tutorial. And if you want to learn how to use JavaScript to make it interactive, check out Part 2 .

Financial data analysis code challenges

Maximize stock trading profit . This is reportedly a question asked in a Google interview and will test your skills in analyzing financial data . There are three levels to this challenge:

• Basic: Given the daily values of a stock, write a program that will find how you can gain the most with a single buy-sell-trade.
• Intermediate: Given the daily values of a stock over several days n , write a program that will find how you can gain the most with a combination of buy-sell trades.
• Hard: Complete both the basic and intermediate algorithms in the most efficient way possible.

Code challenges are a great way to practice your coding skills or keep yourself from getting rusty. Building complete applications will also teach you a lot, but they can take time to finish. On the other hand, a coding challenge can be completed in an evening and will expose you to new algorithms and programming concepts. They are also part of many coding interviews, so completing a few can help you prepare for a job interview. For more details on the code challenges we have, check out Essential Information on Code Challenges .

Whether you’re looking to break into a new career, build your technical skills, or just code for fun, we’re here to help every step of the way. Check out our blog post about how to choose the best Codecademy plan for you to learn about our structured courses, professional certifications, interview prep resources, career services, and more.

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Lesson 27 of 34 By Hemant Deshpande

Table of Contents

Coding and Programming skills hold a significant and critical role in implementing and developing various technologies and software. They add more value to the future and development. These programming and coding skills are essential for every person to improve problem solving skills. So, we brought you this article to help you learn and know the importance of these skills in the future. 

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Topics covered in this problem solving in programming article are:

• What is Problem Solving in Programming? 
• Problem Solving skills in Programming
• How does it impact your career ?
• Steps involved in Problem Solving
• Steps to improve Problem Solving in programming

What is Problem Solving in Programming?

Computers are used to solve various problems in day-to-day life. Problem Solving is an essential skill that helps to solve problems in programming. There are specific steps to be carried out to solve problems in computer programming, and the success depends on how correctly and precisely we define a problem. This involves designing, identifying and implementing problems using certain steps to develop a computer.

When we know what exactly problem solving in programming is, let us learn how it impacts your career growth.

How Does It Impact Your Career?

Many companies look for candidates with excellent problem solving skills. These skills help people manage the work and make candidates put more effort into the work, which results in finding solutions for complex problems in unexpected situations. These skills also help to identify quick solutions when they arise and are identified. 

People with great problem solving skills also possess more thinking and analytical skills, which makes them much more successful and confident in their career and able to work in any kind of environment. 

The above section gives you an idea of how problem solving in programming impacts your career and growth. Now, let's understand what problem solving skills mean.

Problem Solving Skills in Programming

Solving a question that is related to computers is more complicated than finding the solutions for other questions. It requires excellent knowledge and much thinking power. Problem solving in programming skills is much needed for a person and holds a major advantage. For every question, there are specific steps to be followed to get a perfect solution. By using those steps, it is possible to find a solution quickly.

The above section is covered with an explanation of problem solving in programming skills. Now let's learn some steps involved in problem solving.

Steps Involved in Problem Solving

Before being ready to solve a problem, there are some steps and procedures to be followed to find the solution. Let's have a look at them in this problem solving in programming article.

Basically, they are divided into four categories:

• Analysing the problem
• Developing the algorithm
• Testing and debugging

Analysing the Problem

Every problem has a perfect solution; before we are ready to solve a problem, we must look over the question and understand it. When we know the question, it is easy to find the solution for it. If we are not ready with what we have to solve, then we end up with the question and cannot find the answer as expected. By analysing it, we can figure out the outputs and inputs to be carried out. Thus, when we analyse and are ready with the list, it is easy and helps us find the solution easily. 

Developing the Algorithm

It is required to decide a solution before writing a program. The procedure of representing the solution  in a natural language called an algorithm. We must design, develop and decide the final approach after a number of trials and errors, before actually writing the final code on an algorithm before we write the code. It captures and refines all the aspects of the desired solution.

Once we finalise the algorithm, we must convert the decided algorithm into a code or program using a dedicated programming language that is understandable by the computer to find a desired solution. In this stage, a wide variety of programming languages are used to convert the algorithm into code. 

Testing and Debugging

The designed and developed program undergoes several rigorous tests based on various real-time parameters and the program undergoes various levels of simulations. It must meet the user's requirements, which have to respond with the required time. It should generate all expected outputs to all the possible inputs. The program should also undergo bug fixing and all possible exception handling. If it fails to show the possible results, it should be checked for logical errors.

Industries follow some testing methods like system testing, component testing and acceptance testing while developing complex applications. The errors identified while testing are debugged or rectified and tested again until all errors are removed from the program.

The steps mentioned above are involved in problem solving in programming. Now let's see some more detailed information about the steps to improve problem solving in programming.

Steps to Improve Problem Solving in Programming

Right mindset.

The way to approach problems is the key to improving the skills. To find a solution, a positive mindset helps to solve problems quickly. If you think something is impossible, then it is hard to achieve. When you feel free and focus with a positive attitude, even complex problems will have a perfect solution.

Making Right Decisions

When we need to solve a problem, we must be clear with the solution. The perfect solution helps to get success in a shorter period. Making the right decisions in the right situation helps to find the perfect solution quickly and efficiently. These skills also help to get more command over the subject.

Keeping Ideas on Track

Ideas always help much in improving the skills; they also help to gain more knowledge and more command over things. In problem solving situations, these ideas help much and help to develop more skills. Give opportunities for the mind and keep on noting the ideas.

Learning from Feedbacks

A crucial part of learning is from the feedback. Mistakes help you to gain more knowledge and have much growth. When you have a solution for a problem, go for the feedback from the experienced or the professionals. It helps you get success within a shorter period and enables you to find other solutions easily.

Asking Questions

Questions are an incredible part of life. While searching for solutions, there are a lot of questions that arise in our minds. Once you know the question correctly, then you are able to find answers quickly. In coding or programming, we must have a clear idea about the problem. Then, you can find the perfect solution for it. Raising questions can help to understand the problem.

These are a few reasons and tips to improve problem solving in programming skills. Now let's see some major benefits in this article.

• Problem solving in programming skills helps to gain more knowledge over coding and programming, which is a major benefit.
• These problem solving skills also help to develop more skills in a person and build a promising career.
• These skills also help to find the solutions for critical and complex problems in a perfect way.
• Learning and developing problem solving in programming helps in building a good foundation.
• Most of the companies are looking for people with good problem solving skills, and these play an important role when it comes to job opportunities 

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Problem solving in programming skills is important in this modern world; these skills build a great career and hold a great advantage. This article on problem solving in programming provides you with an idea of how it plays a massive role in the present world. In this problem solving in programming article, the skills and the ways to improve more command on problem solving in programming are mentioned and explained in a proper way.

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About the Author

Hemant Deshpande, PMP has more than 17 years of experience working for various global MNC's. He has more than 10 years of experience in managing large transformation programs for Fortune 500 clients across verticals such as Banking, Finance, Insurance, Healthcare, Telecom and others. During his career he has worked across the geographies - North America, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific. Hemant is an internationally Certified Executive Coach (CCA/ICF Approved) working with corporate leaders. He also provides Management Consulting and Training services. He is passionate about writing and regularly blogs and writes content for top websites. His motto in life - Making a positive difference.

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What Is Problem Solving? How Software Engineers Approach Complex Challenges

From debugging an existing system to designing an entirely new software application, a day in the life of a software engineer is filled with various challenges and complexities. The one skill that glues these disparate tasks together and makes them manageable? Problem solving . 

Throughout this blog post, we’ll explore why problem-solving skills are so critical for software engineers, delve into the techniques they use to address complex challenges, and discuss how hiring managers can identify these skills during the hiring process. 

What Is Problem Solving?

But what exactly is problem solving in the context of software engineering? How does it work, and why is it so important?

Problem solving, in the simplest terms, is the process of identifying a problem, analyzing it, and finding the most effective solution to overcome it. For software engineers, this process is deeply embedded in their daily workflow. It could be something as simple as figuring out why a piece of code isn’t working as expected, or something as complex as designing the architecture for a new software system. 

In a world where technology is evolving at a blistering pace, the complexity and volume of problems that software engineers face are also growing. As such, the ability to tackle these issues head-on and find innovative solutions is not only a handy skill — it’s a necessity. 

The Importance of Problem-Solving Skills for Software Engineers

Problem-solving isn’t just another ability that software engineers pull out of their toolkits when they encounter a bug or a system failure. It’s a constant, ongoing process that’s intrinsic to every aspect of their work. Let’s break down why this skill is so critical.

Driving Development Forward

Without problem solving, software development would hit a standstill. Every new feature, every optimization, and every bug fix is a problem that needs solving. Whether it’s a performance issue that needs diagnosing or a user interface that needs improving, the capacity to tackle and solve these problems is what keeps the wheels of development turning.

It’s estimated that 60% of software development lifecycle costs are related to maintenance tasks, including debugging and problem solving. This highlights how pivotal this skill is to the everyday functioning and advancement of software systems.

Innovation and Optimization

The importance of problem solving isn’t confined to reactive scenarios; it also plays a major role in proactive, innovative initiatives . Software engineers often need to think outside the box to come up with creative solutions, whether it’s optimizing an algorithm to run faster or designing a new feature to meet customer needs. These are all forms of problem solving.

Consider the development of the modern smartphone. It wasn’t born out of a pre-existing issue but was a solution to a problem people didn’t realize they had — a device that combined communication, entertainment, and productivity into one handheld tool.

Increasing Efficiency and Productivity

Good problem-solving skills can save a lot of time and resources. Effective problem-solvers are adept at dissecting an issue to understand its root cause, thus reducing the time spent on trial and error. This efficiency means projects move faster, releases happen sooner, and businesses stay ahead of their competition.

Improving Software Quality

Problem solving also plays a significant role in enhancing the quality of the end product. By tackling the root causes of bugs and system failures, software engineers can deliver reliable, high-performing software. This is critical because, according to the Consortium for Information and Software Quality, poor quality software in the U.S. in 2022 cost at least $2.41 trillion in operational issues, wasted developer time, and other related problems.

Problem-Solving Techniques in Software Engineering

So how do software engineers go about tackling these complex challenges? Let’s explore some of the key problem-solving techniques, theories, and processes they commonly use.

Decomposition

Breaking down a problem into smaller, manageable parts is one of the first steps in the problem-solving process. It’s like dealing with a complicated puzzle. You don’t try to solve it all at once. Instead, you separate the pieces, group them based on similarities, and then start working on the smaller sets. This method allows software engineers to handle complex issues without being overwhelmed and makes it easier to identify where things might be going wrong.

Abstraction

In the realm of software engineering, abstraction means focusing on the necessary information only and ignoring irrelevant details. It is a way of simplifying complex systems to make them easier to understand and manage. For instance, a software engineer might ignore the details of how a database works to focus on the information it holds and how to retrieve or modify that information.

Algorithmic Thinking

At its core, software engineering is about creating algorithms — step-by-step procedures to solve a problem or accomplish a goal. Algorithmic thinking involves conceiving and expressing these procedures clearly and accurately and viewing every problem through an algorithmic lens. A well-designed algorithm not only solves the problem at hand but also does so efficiently, saving computational resources.

Parallel Thinking

Parallel thinking is a structured process where team members think in the same direction at the same time, allowing for more organized discussion and collaboration. It’s an approach popularized by Edward de Bono with the “ Six Thinking Hats ” technique, where each “hat” represents a different style of thinking.

In the context of software engineering, parallel thinking can be highly effective for problem solving. For instance, when dealing with a complex issue, the team can use the “White Hat” to focus solely on the data and facts about the problem, then the “Black Hat” to consider potential problems with a proposed solution, and so on. This structured approach can lead to more comprehensive analysis and more effective solutions, and it ensures that everyone’s perspectives are considered.

This is the process of identifying and fixing errors in code . Debugging involves carefully reviewing the code, reproducing and analyzing the error, and then making necessary modifications to rectify the problem. It’s a key part of maintaining and improving software quality.

Testing and Validation

Testing is an essential part of problem solving in software engineering. Engineers use a variety of tests to verify that their code works as expected and to uncover any potential issues. These range from unit tests that check individual components of the code to integration tests that ensure the pieces work well together. Validation, on the other hand, ensures that the solution not only works but also fulfills the intended requirements and objectives.

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Evaluating Problem-Solving Skills

We’ve examined the importance of problem-solving in the work of a software engineer and explored various techniques software engineers employ to approach complex challenges. Now, let’s delve into how hiring teams can identify and evaluate problem-solving skills during the hiring process.

Recognizing Problem-Solving Skills in Candidates

How can you tell if a candidate is a good problem solver? Look for these indicators:

• Previous Experience: A history of dealing with complex, challenging projects is often a good sign. Ask the candidate to discuss a difficult problem they faced in a previous role and how they solved it.
• Problem-Solving Questions: During interviews, pose hypothetical scenarios or present real problems your company has faced. Ask candidates to explain how they would tackle these issues. You’re not just looking for a correct solution but the thought process that led them there.
• Technical Tests: Coding challenges and other technical tests can provide insight into a candidate’s problem-solving abilities. Consider leveraging a platform for assessing these skills in a realistic, job-related context.

Assessing Problem-Solving Skills

Once you’ve identified potential problem solvers, here are a few ways you can assess their skills:

• Solution Effectiveness: Did the candidate solve the problem? How efficient and effective is their solution?
• Approach and Process: Go beyond whether or not they solved the problem and examine how they arrived at their solution. Did they break the problem down into manageable parts? Did they consider different perspectives and possibilities?
• Communication: A good problem solver can explain their thought process clearly. Can the candidate effectively communicate how they arrived at their solution and why they chose it?
• Adaptability: Problem-solving often involves a degree of trial and error. How does the candidate handle roadblocks? Do they adapt their approach based on new information or feedback?

Hiring managers play a crucial role in identifying and fostering problem-solving skills within their teams. By focusing on these abilities during the hiring process, companies can build teams that are more capable, innovative, and resilient.

Key Takeaways

As you can see, problem solving plays a pivotal role in software engineering. Far from being an occasional requirement, it is the lifeblood that drives development forward, catalyzes innovation, and delivers of quality software. 

By leveraging problem-solving techniques, software engineers employ a powerful suite of strategies to overcome complex challenges. But mastering these techniques isn’t simple feat. It requires a learning mindset, regular practice, collaboration, reflective thinking, resilience, and a commitment to staying updated with industry trends. 

For hiring managers and team leads, recognizing these skills and fostering a culture that values and nurtures problem solving is key. It’s this emphasis on problem solving that can differentiate an average team from a high-performing one and an ordinary product from an industry-leading one.

At the end of the day, software engineering is fundamentally about solving problems — problems that matter to businesses, to users, and to the wider society. And it’s the proficient problem solvers who stand at the forefront of this dynamic field, turning challenges into opportunities, and ideas into reality.

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75 Basic Programming Problems and Tutorials for Practice

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Solving Basic Programming Problems is the key to achieve success in coding challenges. Students must practice these basic programming problems!

Basic Programming Problems: Engaging in code challenges offers many benefits, serving as a dynamic tool to enhance problem-solving proficiency, deepen your comprehension of the programming language you work with, and acquaint yourself with diverse algorithms. If you aspire to elevate your programming skills, immersing yourself in coding is the most effective avenue.

The beauty of basic programming problems lies in their convenience—they provide a platform to hone your abilities through bite-sized problems, often eliminating the need to construct entire applications. This characteristic allows you to conquer these challenges swiftly, fostering a sense of accomplishment.

Moreover, code challenges are integral components of many coding interviews.

While your resume may showcase your skills and ability to articulate programming concepts, employers want to validate your practical coding capabilities. Tackling coding challenges during interviews becomes a testament to your proficiency and showcases your competence for the role.

Therefore, incorporating coding challenges into your routine sharpens your skills and is an invaluable preparation strategy for job interviews. To kickstart your coding journey, we have curated a collection of popular basic programming problems to pave the way for your continued growth.

Table of Contents

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Basic Programming Problems Overview

Basic programming problems provide an essential foundation for individuals learning to code, offering a practical and hands-on approach to mastering fundamental concepts in programming.

These problems are designed to introduce beginners to the core coding principles, gradually building their problem-solving skills and comprehension of programming logic.

Whether you are a novice looking to embark on your coding journey or an experienced programmer aiming to reinforce your foundational knowledge, engaging with basic programming problems is a valuable practice.

These problems typically cover essential topics such as data types, loops, conditionals, functions, and basic algorithms, providing a well-rounded introduction to the key building blocks of programming.

The significance of basic programming problems extends beyond mere skill development; it serves as a stepping stone for individuals aspiring to pursue more advanced coding challenges and projects.

By grappling with these foundational problems, learners can cultivate a solid understanding of programming fundamentals, laying the groundwork for future exploration and mastery of more complex coding concepts. Basic programming problems are the cornerstone of a programmer’s educational journey, fostering a strong and resilient coding skill set.

Basic Programming Problems for Beginners

Starting your career in the programming field is  exciting and challenging. For beginners, mastering the basics is crucial, and what better way to do so than by solving basic programming problems ?

Basic Programming Problems Java

Here are some of the basic programming problems JAVA :

1) Hello World:

public class HelloWorld {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        System.out.println(“Hello, World!”);

2) The sum of Two Numbers:

Add two numbers and print the result.

public class Sum {

        int num1 = 5, num2 = 10, sum;

        sum = num1 + num2;

        System.out.println(“Sum: ” + sum);

3) Factorial of a Number:

Calculate the factorial of a number.

public class Factorial {

        int num = 5;

        long factorial = 1;

        for (int i = 1; i <= num; ++i) {

            factorial *= i;

        System.out.println(“Factorial: ” + factorial);

4) Check Even or Odd:

Determine if a number is even or odd.

public class EvenOdd {

        int num = 8;

        if (num % 2 == 0) {

            System.out.println(num + ” is even.”);

        } else {

            System.out.println(num + ” is odd.”);

5) Reverse a String:

Reverse the characters in a given string.

public class ReverseString {

        String str = “Hello”;

        StringBuilder reversed = new StringBuilder(str).reverse();

        System.out.println(“Reversed String: ” + reversed);

Here are some theory-based basic programming problems Java:

1) Differences Between C++ and Java

• C++: Not platform-independent, follows “write once, compile anywhere.”
• Java: Platform-independent byte code allows programs to run on any machine.

Languages Compatibility:

• C++: Compatible with most high-level languages.
• Java: Incompatible with most languages, comparable to C and C++.

Interaction with the Library:

• C++: Direct access to native system libraries, suitable for system-level programming.
• Java: Requires Java Native Interface or library access, not direct call support.

Characteristics:

• C++: Combines features of procedural and object-oriented languages.
• Java: Known for automatic garbage collection, lacks support for destructors.

Semantics of the Type:

• C++: Consistent semantics for primitive and object types.
• Java: Inconsistent semantics between primitive and object types and classes.

Compiler and Interpreter:

• Java: Compiled and interpreted language, source code compiles into platform-independent bytecode.
• C++: Purely compiled language, source program compiles into object code, further executed.

2) Features of the Java Programming Language:

• Easy: Java is considered easy to learn, with fundamental Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) concepts.
• Secured Feature: Java provides a secured feature, ensuring the development of virus-free and tamper-free systems.
• OOP: Java follows Object-Oriented Programming, treating everything as an object.
• Independent Platform: Java compiles into platform-independent bytecode, interpreted by the Virtual Machine.

3) ClassLoader in Java:

• A ClassLoader in Java is a subsystem of the Java Virtual Machine responsible for loading class files during program execution.
• It is the first to load the executable file and includes Bootstrap, Extension, and Application classloaders.

4) Differences Between Heap and Stack Memory in Java:

• Stack Memory: Allocated to each individual program. Fixed memory space.
• Heap Memory: Not assigned to Java code initially but available during runtime. Used as needed by the Java code.

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Key Features:

• Comprehensive Java Coverage: Delve into the intricacies of Core Java, unraveling the language’s syntax, features, and object-oriented programming concepts. From basic constructs to advanced topics, this course ensures a thorough understanding of Java.
• Powerful Problem-Solving with DSA: Unlock the potential of Data Structures and Algorithms to efficiently solve complex problems. Acquire the essential tools and strategies to approach real-world challenges with confidence and precision.
• Hands-On Learning: Immerse yourself in practical, hands-on exercises that reinforce theoretical concepts. Through coding exercises and projects, you’ll apply your knowledge, fostering a deeper understanding of both Java and DSA.
• Expert Guidance: Benefit from expert guidance provided by seasoned instructors with extensive industry experience. Learn industry best practices and gain insights into the practical applications of Java and DSA.

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Basic Programming Problems in C

The table below shows the basic programming problems in C :

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Basic Programming Problems in Python

In addition to introducing you to Python’s syntax and structure, tackling basic programming problems in Python helps you improve your problem-solving skills. With tasks ranging from basic logic puzzles to intricate algorithmic difficulties, these issues offer an interactive method of learning Python and put you on the route to becoming a skilled programmer.

Basic Programming Problems in Javascript

Whether you aim to enhance your web development skills or explore the vast world of JavaScript applications, these problems cater to beginners, guiding them through the foundational aspects of programming in this versatile language. Below table showcases the basic programming problems in Javascript :

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Basic Programming Problems and Solutions

Here are 10 basic programming problems along with their solutions:

• Hello World:

Problem: Write a program that prints “Hello, World!” to the console.

Solution (Python):

print(“Hello, World!”)

• Sum of Two Numbers:

Problem: Write a program that inputs two numbers and prints their sum.

Solution (Java):

import java.util.Scanner;

public class SumOfTwoNumbers {

        Scanner scanner = new Scanner(System.in);

        System.out.print(“Enter first number: “);

        int num1 = scanner.nextInt();

        System.out.print(“Enter second number: “);

        int num2 = scanner.nextInt();

        int sum = num1 + num2;

• Factorial of a Number:

Problem: Write a program to calculate the factorial of a given number.

Solution (C++):

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int factorial(int n) {

    if (n == 0 || n == 1)

        return 1;

        return n * factorial(n – 1);

int main() {

    int num;

    cout << “Enter a number: “;

    cin >> num;

    cout << “Factorial: ” << factorial(num) << endl;

    return 0;

• Check Even or Odd:

Problem: Write a program that checks if a given number is even or odd.

Solution (JavaScript):

let number = 7;

if (number % 2 === 0) {

    console.log(number + ” is even”);

    console.log(number + ” is odd”);

• Reverse a String:

Problem: Write a program to reverse a given string.

original_string = “Hello, World!”

reversed_string = original_string[::-1]

print(“Reversed String:”, reversed_string)

• Fibonacci Series:

Problem: Generate the Fibonacci series up to a specific limit.

public class FibonacciSeries {

        int limit = 10;

        int firstTerm = 0, secondTerm = 1;

        System.out.println(“Fibonacci Series up to ” + limit + ” terms:”);

        for (int i = 1; i <= limit; ++i) {

            System.out.print(firstTerm + “, “);

            int nextTerm = firstTerm + secondTerm;

            firstTerm = secondTerm;

            secondTerm = nextTerm;

• Check Prime Number:

Problem: Write a program to check if a given number is prime.

def is_prime(number):

    if number > 1:

        for i in range(2, int(number / 2) + 1):

            if (number % i) == 0:

                return False

        else:

            return True

        return False

if is_prime(num):

    print(num, “is a prime number.”)

    print(num, “is not a prime number.”)

• Find Maximum Element:

Problem: Write a program to find the maximum element in an array.

int findMax(int arr[], int size) {

    int max = arr[0];

    for (int i = 1; i < size; ++i) {

        if (arr[i] > max) {

            max = arr[i];

    return max;

    int numbers[] = {5, 8, 2, 10, 3};

    int size = sizeof(numbers) / sizeof(numbers[0]);

    cout << “Maximum Element: ” << findMax(numbers, size) << endl;

• Palindrome Check:

Problem: Write a program to check if a given string is a palindrome.

public class PalindromeCheck {

        String str = “level”;

        String reversedStr = new StringBuilder(str).reverse().toString();

        if (str.equals(reversedStr)) {

            System.out.println(str + ” is a palindrome.”);

            System.out.println(str + ” is not a palindrome.”);

• Count Vowels and Consonants:

Problem: Write a program to count the number of vowels and consonants in a given string.

text = “Hello, World!”

vowels = “AEIOU

Benefits of Solving Basic Programming Problems

Solving basic programming problems offers numerous benefits for individuals looking to enhance their programming skills. Here are some key advantages:

Skill Development:

• Coding Proficiency: Regular problem-solving helps improve your coding skills and fluency in programming languages.
• Algorithmic Thinking: It fosters the development of algorithmic thinking, enabling you to devise efficient solutions to various problems.

Logical Thinking:

• Problem Decomposition: Breaking down problems into smaller components and solving them enhances logical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Pattern Recognition: Regular problem-solving helps in recognizing patterns and similarities between different problems, leading to more efficient solutions.

Learning New Concepts:

• Exposure to Diverse Topics: Programming problems often cover a wide range of concepts, exposing you to different areas of computer science and software development.
• New Algorithms and Data Structures: Exploring various problems introduces you to new algorithms and data structures, expanding your knowledge base.

Preparation for Interviews:

• Technical Interviews: Many technical interviews for programming roles involve solving algorithmic and coding problems. Regular practice prepares you for such interviews and boosts your confidence.
• Coding Challenges: Familiarity with common coding challenges often encountered in interviews is an asset.

Building a Portfolio:

• Showcasing Skills: Solving problems allows you to build a portfolio of solutions that you can showcase to potential employers or on coding platforms.
• GitHub Contributions: Uploading your solutions to platforms like GitHub demonstrates your coding proficiency and problem-solving ability.

Enhanced Efficiency:

• Code Optimization: Regular practice encourages optimization, leading to more efficient and cleaner code.
• Time Complexity Awareness: Problem-solving helps in understanding and considering time complexity, contributing to the creation of scalable solutions.

Community Engagement:

• Online Communities: Engaging in online coding communities allows you to discuss problems, learn from others, and gain insights into alternative solutions.
• Peer Learning: Collaborating with peers on coding challenges can provide different perspectives and foster a collaborative learning environment.

Career Advancement:

• Competitive Edge: Building strong problem-solving skills sets you apart in a competitive job market, enhancing your employability.
• Adaptability: A wide range of problem-solving experiences makes you more adaptable to different tasks and projects.

Personal Satisfaction:

• Sense of Achievement: Successfully solving programming problems brings a sense of accomplishment, boosting confidence and motivation.
• Continuous Learning: It fosters a mindset of continuous learning, crucial in a rapidly evolving field like programming.

In summary, regular practice of solving basic programming problems contributes significantly to skill development, logical thinking, and overall proficiency in the field of programming.

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Walkthrough

Programming problem solving walkthrough.

A programming problem solving walkthrough is a written guided description of the journey from a problem to a solution. It aims to teach how to solve programming problems in a methodical and thoughtful manner using the model. In other words, the knowledge to be learned is focused on the "how", and not on the programming language per se.

The walkthrough, as a teaching method, is based on two concepts: worked example from learning sciences and literate programming from computer science.

A worked example is a step-by-step demonstration of how to solve a problem. Learning scientists found out that worked examples are most effective for novices (i.e., the audience of a walkthrough), while performing problem-solving is more beneficial for experts. There are multiple ways of presenting and supporting worked examples , and one of the evidence-based techniques is to include sub-goal labeling, which is about labeling groups of steps in the worked example.

Literate programming by Donald E. Knuth is a programming paradigm in which a program is written as interspersed snippets of executable code and text. The text, which is written in ordinary human language, explains the logic of the code and explains the programmer's thoughts and decisions. Thus a program is perceived much more like an essay.

The walkthrough combines these two powerful ideas for learning the craft of problem solving by programming. It uses the programming problem solving model and its supplements to give a framework for establishing the learning objectives, as well as defining the walkthrough's structure and flow.

The learning objective of a walkthrough is rooted in one of the phases (for example, acquiring the ability to use a specific design strategy). That's in addition to the always-present learning objective of mastering the instrumentation of end-to-end problem solving .

Many times the solving process is hidden, and one gets only the final result, the executable code. Therefore, an essential feature of a walkthrough is making the reasoning explicit, as suggested by literate programming. In other words, it brings the solving process to the surface and documents the train of thought of the problem-solver as they go through each of the phases. In fact, a walkthrough aims to prompt self-explanation by the learners.

A similar but different flavor of a walkthrough is one that is developed by the learners. They choose a programming problem and fill in a provided walkthrough template. The learners improve their ability to solve problems by explicitly documenting their own process.

This page was written with Python in mind, with Jupyter Notebook that serves as the medium for the walkthrough. Notebooks are natural for literate programming , with their capability to mix text, media, and code in cells. Nevertheless, a walkthrough is a teaching method which is beyond one programming language or another, and it can also be developed as a source code file.

Few (opinionated) Principles and Practices

A walkthrough is an active learning activity. It is similar to a tutorial in the sense that it is most effective if the reader follows along by actually performing the tasks being described. In our particular case the tasks are based on the phases of the problem-solving model .

For example:

• Reinterpret the Problem phase - suggest input-output instances.
• Design a Solution phase - write about choosing a data structure, what attributes make it fit.

While it is important to focus on one particular phase so as not to overwhelm the learner, other phases should not be neglected. To keep the student engaged throughout the walkthrough it is suggested to use less demanding, yet active, tasks.

Tasks suggested by phase appear later on this page.

The walkthrough is designed to achieve teachable moments , in which it leads the learners to a point where they discover or apply a concept, an idea or a technique from the learning objectives.

At the same time a walkthrough must manage cognitive load , with a great focus on the external one.

The walkthrough is a "better version of reality" that focuses on the learning, and not on accurate journaling of the problem solving process . By its nature, this process is often messy and non-linear. Meanwhile, the goal of the walkthrough is to guide the learner through solving the problem in a logical and clear manner, without recording all the twists and turns. In that sense, the walkthrough is a "better version of reality", in which the actual steps are filtered and distilled to support the designer's learning objectives efficiently.

The text and code should be written in expository style . Even if a program has a hierarchical (tree) design, it this might not mean that this structure is the best for its development.

A problem should be solved and explored in a psychologically correct order , following the solver's "stream of consciousness" . The objective is to go through the process of solving, and a walkthrough inherently performs a "linearization" of this path. As Donald E. Knuth wrote:

My experiences have led me to believe that a person reading a program is likewise, ready to comprehend it by learning its various parts in approximately the order in which it was written.

The walkthrough is intended to be perceived as a dialogue with the learner . Of course, this is impossible due to the non-interactive format, but aimed as aspiration.

Walkthroughs are not stand alone but should be considered in context of a unit or a course. After the learners worked on the walkthrough, a wrap-up session (that might include a presentation or live coding of partial or complete solution) should take place.

Use of real-word problems or cover story can increase the motivation of the learners.

It is advised to limit the external permitted materials for the learners.

Checklist / Rubric

This is an opinionated checklist of all the points that a decent walkthrough should fulfill. It refers to the complete walkthrough after a learner performs all the tasks. It is up to the developer to decide which parts are already presented at the beginning and which are left to the learners.

• Get something working and keep it working:
• First writing code in cells, testing it and only then encapsulating into functions

Reinterpret the Problem

• Rephrasing the problem statement in their own words
• Writing the solution contract
• Meaning and (Python) type
• One or few input-output pairs of concrete instances (it doesn't need to be comprehensive right now, it is not the Test phase)

Design a Solution

• Ultimately, a walkthrough should break down the problem into hierarchical sub-problems; in other words, it should present an outline of the solution decomposed into sub-problems.
• Following the DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself ) design principle - Identifying repeating sub-problems
• A mapping between the information in the problem/solution domain to a data-structure (either primitive or composed, flat or nested) in Python
• Describing the meaning of the data structure, the relationship between its components and the required operation (a.k.a questions)
• Transforming well the design into code
• Pythonic Code - Python Idioms
• Meaningful Names
• Using Comments
• Using Helper Functions when needed (e.g., for following DRY)
• Black box (e.g., trivial cases, simplest non-trivial cases, edge cases, corner cases - but it is not mandatory to write the type)
• White box - coverage / path-complete
• Scenario - Using the language of the problem phase/domain
• Instance - Concrete Input-Output pairs
• The test case follows the simplicity principle - the instance(s) should be the simplest possible to test the scenario.
• Following the empirical approach for debugging (reproduce, diagnose, fix, repeat, reflect)
• Diagnose - Focus on reasoning on the available clues (e.g., the bug itself - input/output and trace-back, reading the code with a critical eye, using the print function)

Evaluate & Reflect

• Functionality
• Design & Code
• Readability, Style & Documentation
• Alignment between the presented problem solving process and the takeaways
• Postmortem of the problem solving or debugging process
• Self-debugging - what the programmer can learn from solving this problem.

Solution Program - Solving the Problem

• Copy-paste and organize all the necessary code for a complete solution of the problem in one cell or py file, and execute it to solve the original problem. Note that it might require asking the learners to combine code snippets from different parts of the notebook.
• The code in the solution section is self-contained for execution, and doesn't depend on other snippets of code from the previous steps.
• This section also contains tests of the solution code.

Tips for Developing a Walkthrough

The Carpentries Curriculum Development Handbook is an excellent resource for how to develop a curriculum in computing and what it says is equally applicable to developing a walkthrough.

First of all, set the learning objectives using the programming problem solving model terminology.

Form a problem - choose an algorithmic one or real-world one.

Solve the problem, document your process based on the model, pay attention to your mistakes and bugs.

Reflect on your problem solving process and try to distill it into steps and teachable moments.

Refactor your code and remove clutter. While it doesn't have to be the best possible, make sure to adjust for the required ability of your learners.

Write an outline of the walkthrough and embed your code in the relevant sections. Validate it with a checklist .

Decide what tasks the learners should do, making sure they align with the learning objectives.

Write the complete text of the walkthrough that guides the learners. It is advised to use the plural first person pronoun "we".

Run a pilot of the walkthrough on a small group of learners.

Repeat and improve!

Suggested Tasks by Phase

• Phrase the problem in your own words
• Write three examples of input-output pairs for the problem
• Write the solution of the problem or of a function (in the docstring)
• Write a design (either as text or as a diagram) for a problem or a sub-problem
• Choose a data structure and reason about it
• Describe how to solve the problem "by hand" for one specific input
• Solve a Parson's Puzzle (or the two-dimensional flavor ). It can be created and embedded in Jupyter Notebook with http://parsons.problemsolving.io
• Write code according to a design (either done by the learner or given in the walkthrough)
• Draw an environment diagram
• Answer questions about it
• Write a docstring to a function
• Give meaningful names for variables in the code
• Extract its design (e.g., write a "design tweet" with a maximum of 240 characters)
• Discuss its design - why did the solver choose that particular design and not another, especially pay attention to the data structures
• Write test cases for the problem or function
• Fix a bug in a given piece of code
• Describe a bug you had while solving the problem, and explain how you fixed it
• Evaluate a given piece of code
• Evaluate your code
• Reflect on your problem solving process

Repeat & Improve

• Refactor a given piece of code (e.g., because of speed or design issues)

Additional ideas and inspiration for tasks can be found in the Exercise types chapter from "Teaching Tech Together" and in the Catalog of pedagogical patterns chapter from "Teaching and Learning with Jupyter".

• A Walkthrough is a written guided description of the journey from a problem to a solution.
• It aims to teach how to solve programming problems in a methodical and thoughtful manner using the model.
• The conceptual roots of the walkthrough as a teaching method are the ideas of worked examples and literate programming .
• It is designed to prompt self-explanation by the learners.
• Jupyter Notebook serves as the medium, and it includes active learning tasks.
• Walkthroughs - Open Education Resources
• Worked and faded examples - MIT Open Learning
• Skudder, B., & Luxton-Reilly, A. (2014, January). Worked examples in computer science . In Proceedings of the Sixteenth Australasian Computing Education Conference-Volume 148 (pp. 59-64). Australian Computer Society, Inc..
• Lauren Margulieux - Research and Papers - Subgoal Labels and Worked Examples
• Literate Programming website
• Knuth, D. E. (1984). Literate programming . The Computer Journal, 27(2), 97-111.
• Exercise Types - Teaching Tech Together
• Catalog of Pedagogical Patterns - Teaching and Learning with Jupyter
• The Carpentries Curriculum Development Handbook

Copyright © 2020 Shlomi Hod. All rights reserved.

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Where is programming logic/problem solving learned? [closed]

I feel stuck and I don't know what to do to become a good programmer. I have followed so many tutorials:

FreeCodeCamp - 4h 30 min

3dbuzz C# (like 2 beginner and 1 advanced)

Caleb Curry - 6+

Bob from Microsoft

and many more videos.

And I am stuck. My goal with C# was to improve it so I would get better at Unity. But I dont feel that much better. I would say that my syntax knowledge is pretty good now, but thats the easy part. C# is my first programming language and I am struggling to use my knowledge(syntax) to build things with it. I just dont have the problem solving skills required to create things in either C# or Unity. But where am I supposed to learn that? It seems like everyone either tells you to just do algorithms(Leetcode) or "Just code". (1) I have done different sorting algorithms and other stuff, but I feel like that doesn't really help me. (2) "Just code" yes but what? Everyone tells you to practice, but never how or what. Like I dont have any tasks to use the knowledge I have gained on.

I cant build big applications, I cant make save/load systems, I cant make complex things. I dont know where I am supposed to learn that stuff. And I cant find any vidoes/courses that teach me that stuff. Its all just "this is how foreach" works. "This is how delegates" works. "This is how you implement the observer pattern" its never "This is how you should think, this is how you should implement it all together"

Like do I have to enroll in CS50 to learn how to think as a programmer or is taking a deep dive in C# just a waste of time when my goal is game development(I dont think/hope it is, I mean game engines build on programming)

What Am I supposed to do?

• unity-game-engine

• 1 tbh heres your issue "I have followed so many tutorials" if youj have watched enough tutorials that you would say this, you are either just blindingly doing the tutorial, like a race, and just blindly writing down what they did, or, you picked all the wrong ones. You need to use the tutorial to investigate exactly why they did what they did, even if they dont say. Unity methods are documented, look them up, look up alternatives, look to see if you would do thing their doing different, if you would, is your way actually worse? –  BugFinder Commented 2 days ago
• " you are either just blindingly doing the tutorial, like a race, and just blindly writing down what they did, or, you picked all the wrong ones" I would say Yes and no. The problem is that all of them just teached me about the syntax of the language. Thats easy to learn. But the hard part is how to use it together to create things, problem solving. But none of the videos/Courses so far teaches me that. I just want a course to actually teach me how it all comes together. –  MrV Commented 2 days ago
• 2 The very first book I read on VBA I did the following - read the book and when there was text about an example I closed it and tried to do it ON MY OWN before reading what the author did. Then learn from that. Then at the end of the chapter I would do ALL exercises WITHOUT ANY GOOGLE or HELP as if my life depended on it. –  Ivan Petrov Commented 2 days ago
• Don't just watch tutorials, find code challenges so you can get some actual experience –  Hans Kesting Commented 2 days ago
• 1 I cant build big applications - I cant make complex things - yes, you can. You can't just spit them out in one piece from end to end. Nobody can. Think of something that you want to do, like perhaps a simplified version of your favorite game. Then break the task into smaller pieces, A, B, C, and so on. If A is still too daunting to take on as a whole, break that down further into A1, A2, A3, and so on, until you have pieces that you actually feel you can handle. –  500 - Internal Server Error Commented 2 days ago

2 Answers 2

This is a great question that I believe needs to be discussed more. I love programming and have done so from an early age. So, where did I learn it to become seasoned? To reiterate all the great comments, you get there by doing, get frustrated, work through it. Ask what else you could do.

The tutorials you've followed and possibly interacted with have led you to understand how to read code and, in a theoretical sense, concepts such as polymorphism and inheritance. The problem you're facing now is taking that and applying it to the Unity projects you've got queued up. The other piece to note, which you need to separate, is domain knowledge as it applies to C#. Knowing how to develop in C# and the domain libraries, terms, and concepts for game programming and graphics are different.

You're clearly motivated, so take one of your more straightforward ideas and work through it. Make it work, however ugly you think it is; a blank page is daunting. Unity has many tutorials. Work through one and then expand on it. Once it's effectively operating, think about how you could have broken that code up. Are some of your methods doing too much? If you wanted to expand your game ideas, will what you've written support that? If not, think about how you might extract critical information, such as the separation of duties. An example: Round 1 - You want a bag to carry the items you collected:

It's a start, but now you want to know more about the item rather than just a name. Ok, let's create an object for that and apply it.

In this example, you finally want some items to be health, weapons, armor, etc. Each one now deviates from a basic named item.

These still fit in your bag, but you can do much more now. You need to start with your problem, and yes, it can be frustrating, but it's that process of iterating that trains you to think about what you're attempting to do. Everyone has the potential to do this; it just takes time and experience, so start small and grow. Remember, even the most seasoned of us have days where we question our choices but keep going, it's worth it :-)

• I just... I still feel like my programming knowledge is mediocre at best and I can't get over to the other side. I can make simple games without following tutorials. I have made Flappy Birds, Ping pong and even Fruit Ninja Before, but the code I write feels childish. I went back to improve my C# in hopes of also getting better at Unity. I have learned a lot of syntax, I know about the 4 pillars of OOP, I have worked through the most known Design Patterns and done algorithms(Sorting/searching was easy, A* and harder algorithms where to hard)but I never got any tasks to test my knowledge on. –  MrV Commented yesterday
• That's my weakness, using my knowledge and I never get to use it. I can't find any tasks to do online. So thats why I am still stuck at beginner, not able to climb up to intermediate. I can do easy things, but I dont know how to think when doing more intermediate/advanced stuff. I need more tasks to do. Like there is no website that just gives you hundreds of programming challenged to do and help you with how to think like a programmer. –  MrV Commented yesterday
• But as you said its about just doing it, like that bag example you gave. But I am Kinda empty, I dont know what to do or what I need in a game. If I make a pirate game I dont know where to start or what to add or how it all works together. I have learned the syntax but no video taught me how to structure my code, what goes where, etc... Me and my friend started to make a game a couple of days ago, just to get better at Unity. The idea is: 2D game with a "ghost" that help you. This ghost is just a playback of the players movement and interactions before he/she entered a door. –  MrV Commented yesterday
• And with the help of the ghost you finish the game. We already have a simple walk Mechanic. But the problem is how this playback/recording is gonna work with everything. And I have seen that games usually have managers for sound, for spawning, for handling the game, etc... I just don't know how to structure it all. (Sorry for so much text) –  MrV Commented yesterday

I have a suggestion to get a feedback loop that is more effective and engaging. Ask AI to build code for things you want to build. For example, a small game. For bigger things, you can ask it to build parts of it, and then you try to glue it together. Then, when invariably it doesn't work perfectly, either solve it, or, if you run out of ideas, ask the AI about your next doubt. If you can't get insight, then you can ask a human. But the fact you can ask lots of small questions in succession to an AI is beneficial when there's a lot to discover, vs. asking larger questions and waiting some time for an answer. The goal is to iterate quickly on small doubts. The small steps you make this way are motivating. This helps you identify if there are any specific areas you want to tackle first, as opposed to the full technology, by steering yourself towards what pikes your curiosity. Get interacting and put watching as a lower priority.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged c# unity-game-engine or ask your own question .

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What is Programming? A Handbook for Beginners

Welcome to the amazing world of programming. This is one of the most useful and powerful skills that you can learn and use to make your visions come true.

In this handbook, we will dive into why programming is important, its applications, its basic concepts, and the skills you need to become a successful programmer.

You will learn:

• What programming is and why it is important .
• What a programming language is and why it is important .
• How programming is related to binary numbers .
• Real-world applications of programming .
• Skills you need to succeed as a programmer .
• Tips for learning how to code .
• Basic programming concepts .
• Types of programming languages .
• How to contribute to open source projects .
• And more...

Are you ready? Let's begin! ✨  

🔹 What is Programming?

Did you know that computer programming is already a fundamental part of your everyday lives? Let's see why. I'm sure that you will be greatly surprised.

Every time you turn on your smartphone, laptop, tablet, smart TV, or any other electronic device, you are running code that was planned, developed, and written by developers. This code creates the final and interactive result that you can see on your screen.

That is exactly what programming is all about. It is the process of writing code to solve a particular problem or to implement a particular task.

Programming is what allows your computer to run the programs you use every day and your smartphone to run the apps that you love. It is an essential part of our world as we know it.

Whenever you check your calendar, attend virtual conferences, browse the web, or edit a document, you are using code that has been written by developers.

"And what is code?" you may ask.

Code is a sequence of instructions that a programmer writes to tell a device (like a computer) what to do.

The device cannot know by itself how to handle a particular situation or how to perform a task. So developers are in charge of analyzing the situation and writing explicit instructions to implement what is needed.

To do this, they follow a particular syntax (a set of rules for writing the code).

A developer (or programmer) is the person who analyzes a problem and implements a solution in code.

Sounds amazing, right? It's very powerful and you can be part this wonderful world too by learning how to code. Let's see how.

You, as a developer.

Let's put you in a developer's shoes for a moment. Imagine that you are developing a mobile app, like the ones that you probably have installed on your smartphone right now.

What is the first thing that you would do?

Think about this for a moment.

The answer is...

Analyzing the problem. What are you trying to build?

As a developer, you would start by designing the layout of the app, how it will work, its different screens and functionality, and all the small details that will make your app an awesome tool for users around the world.

Only after you have everything carefully planned out, you can start to write your code. To do that, you will need to choose a programming language to work with. Let's see what a programming language is and why they are super important.

🔸 What is a Programing Language?

A programming language is a language that computers can understand.

We cannot just write English words in our program like this:

"Computer, solve this task!"

and hope that our computer can understand what we mean. We need to follow certain rules to write the instructions.

Every programming language has its own set of rules that determine if a line of code is valid or not. Because of this, the code you write in one programming language will be slightly different from others.

💡 Tip: Some programming languages are more complex than others but most of them share core concepts and functionality. If you learn how to code in one programming language, you will likely be able to learn another one faster.

Before you can start writing awesome programs and apps, you need to learn the basic rules of the programming language you chose for the task.

💡 Tip: a program is a set of instructions written in a programming language for the computer to execute. We usually write the code for our program in one or multiple files.

For example, this is a line of code in Python (a very popular programming language) that shows the message "Hello, World!" :

But if we write the same line of code in JavaScript (a programming language mainly used for web development), we will get an error because it will not be valid.

To do something very similar in JavaScript, we would write this line of code instead:

Visually, they look very different, right? This is because Python and JavaScript have a different syntax and a different set of built-in functions .

💡 Tip : built-in functions are basically tasks that are already defined in the programming language. This lets us use them directly in our code by writing their names and by specifying the values they need.  

In our examples, print() is a built-in function in Python while console.log() is a function that we can use in JavaScript to see the message in the console (an interactive tool) if we run our code in the browser.

Examples of programming languages include Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Java, C, C#, C++, PHP, Go, Swift, SQL, and R. There are many programming languages and most of them can be used for many different purposes.

💡 Tip: These were the most popular programming languages on the Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2022 :

There are many other programming languages (hundreds or even thousands!) but usually, you will learn and work with some of the most popular ones. Some of them have broader applications like Python and JavaScript while others (like R) have more specific (and even scientific) purposes.

This sounds very interesting, right? And we are only starting to talk about programming languages. There is a lot to learn about them and I promise you that if you dive deeper into programming, your time and effort will be totally worth it.

Awesome! Now that you know what programming is and what programming languages are all about, let's see how programming is related to binary numbers.

🔹 Programming and Binary Numbers

When you think about programming, perhaps the first thing that comes to your mind is something like the below image, right? A sequence of 0 s and 1 s on your computer.

Programming is indeed related to binary numbers ( 0 and 1 ) but in an indirect way. Developers do not actually write their code using zeros and ones.

We usually write programs in a high-level programming language, a programming language with a syntax that recognizes specific words (called keywords), symbols, and values of different data types.

Basically, we write code in a way that humans can understand.

For example, these are the keywords that we can use in Python:

Every programming language has its own set of keywords (words written in English). These keywords are part of the syntax and core functionality of the programming language.

But keywords are just common words in English, almost like the ones that we would find in a book.

That leads us to two very important questions:

• How does the computer understand and interpret what we are trying to say?
• Where does the binary number system come into play here?

The computer does not understand these words, symbols, or values directly.

When a program runs, the code that we write in a high-level programming language that humans can understand is automatically transformed into binary code that the computer can understand.

This transformation of source code that humans can understand into binary code that the computer can understand is called compilation .

According to Britannica , a compiler is defined as:

Computer software that translates (compiles) source code written in a high-level language (e.g., C++) into a set of machine-language instructions that can be understood by a digital computer’s CPU.

Britannica also mentions that:

The term compiler was coined by American computer scientist Grace Hopper , who designed one of the first compilers in the early 1950s.

Some programming languages can be classified as compiled programming languages while others can be classified as interpreted programming languages based on how to they are transformed into machine-language instructions.

However, they all have to go through a process that converts them into instructions that the computer can understand.

Awesome. Now you know why binary code is so important for computer science. Without it, basically programming would not exist because computers would not be able to understand our instructions.

Now let's dive into the applications of programming and the different areas that you can explore.

🔸 Real-World Applications of Programming

Programming has many different applications in many different industries. This is truly amazing because you can apply your knowledge in virtually any industry that you are interested in.

From engineering to farming, from game development to physics, the possibilities are endless if you learn how to code.  

Let's see some of them. (I promise you. They are amazing! ⭐) .

Front-End Web Development

If you learn how to code, you can use your programming skills to design and develop websites and online platforms. Front-End Web Developers create the parts of the websites that users can see and interact with directly.

For example, right now you are reading an article on freeCodeCamp 's publication. The publication looks like this and it works like this thanks to code that front-end web developers wrote line by line.

💡 Tip: If you learn front-end web development, you can do this too.

Front-End Web Developers use HTML and CSS to create the structure of the website (these are markup languages, which are used to present information) and they write JavaScript code to add functionality and interactivity.

If you are interested in learning front-end web development, you can learn HTML and CSS with these free courses on freeCodeCamp's YouTube Channel:

• Learn HTML5 and CSS3 From Scratch - Full Course
• Learn HTML & CSS – Full Course for Beginners
• Frontend Web Development Bootcamp Course (JavaScript, HTML, CSS)
• Introduction To Responsive Web Design - HTML & CSS Tutorial

You can also learn JavaScript for free with these free online courses:

• Learn JavaScript - Full Course for Beginners
• JavaScript Programming - Full Course
• JavaScript DOM Manipulation – Full Course for Beginners
• Learn JavaScript by Building 7 Games - Full Course

💡 Tip: You can also earn a Responsive Web Design Certification while you learn with interactive exercises on freeCodeCamp.

Back-End Web Development

More complex and dynamic web applications that work with user data also require a server . This is a computer program that receives requests and sends appropriate responses. They also need a database , a collection of values stored in a structured way.

Back-End Web Developers are in charge of developing the code for these servers. They decide how to handle the different requests, how to send appropriate resources, how to store the information, and basically how to make everything that runs behind the scenes work smoothly and efficiently.

A real-world example of back-end web development is what happens when you create an account on freeCodeCamp and complete a challenge. Your information is stored on a database and you can access it later when you sign in with your email and password.

This amazing interactive functionality was implemented by back-end web developers.

💡 Tip: Full-stack Web Developers are in charge of both Front-End and Back-End Web Development. They have specialized knowledge on both areas.

All the complex platforms that you use every day, like social media platforms, online shopping platforms, and educational platforms, use servers and back-end web development to power their amazing functionality.

Python is an example of a powerful programming language used for this purpose. This is one of the most popular programming languages out there, and its popularity continues to rise every year. This is partly because it is simple and easy to learn and yet powerful and versatile enough to be used in real-world applications.

💡 Tip: if you are curious about the specific applications of Python, this is an article I wrote on this topic .

JavaScript can also be used for back-end web development thanks to Node.js.

Other programming languages used to develop web servers are PHP, Ruby, C#, and Java.

If you would like to learn Back-End Web Development, these are free courses on freeCodeCamp's YouTube channel:

• Python Backend Web Development Course (with Django)
• Node.js and Express.js - Full Course
• Full Stack Web Development for Beginners (Full Course on HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Node.js, MongoDB)
• Node.js / Express Course - Build 4 Projects

💡 Tip: freeCodeCamp also has a free Back End Development and APIs certification.

Mobile App Development

Mobile apps have become part of our everyday lives. I'm sure that you could not imagine life without them.

Think about your favorite mobile app. What do you love about it?

Our favorite apps help us with our daily tasks, they entertain us, they solve a problem, and they help us to achieve our goals. They are always there for us.

That is the power of mobile apps and you can be part of this amazing world too if you learn mobile app development.

Developers focused on mobile app development are in charge of planning, designing, and developing the user interface and functionality of these apps. They identify a gap in the existing apps and they try to create a working product to make people's lives better.

💡 Tip: regardless of the field you choose, your goal as a developer should always be making people's lives better. Apps are not just apps, they have the potential to change our lives. You should always remember this when you are planning your projects. Your code can make someone's life better and that is a very important responsibility.

Mobile app developers use programming languages like JavaScript, Java, Swift, Kotlin, and Dart. Frameworks like Flutter and React Native are super helpful to build cross-platform mobile apps (that is, apps that run smoothly on multiple different operating systems like Android and iOS).

According to Flutter 's official documentation:

Flutter is an open source framework by Google for building beautiful, natively compiled, multi-platform applications from a single codebase.

If you would like to learn mobile app development, these are free courses that you can take on freeCodeCamp's YouTube channel:

• Flutter Course for Beginners – 37-hour Cross Platform App Development Tutorial
• Flutter Course - Full Tutorial for Beginners (Build iOS and Android Apps)
• React Native - Intro Course for Beginners
• Learn React Native Gestures and Animations - Tutorial

Game Development

Games create long-lasting memories. I'm sure that you still remember your favorite games and why you love (or loved) them so much. Being a game developer means having the opportunity of bringing joy and entertainment to players around the world.

Game developers envision, design, plan, and implement the functionality of a game. They also need to find or create assets such as characters, obstacles, backgrounds, music, sound effects, and more.

💡 Tip: if you learn how to code, you can create your own games. Imagine creating an awesome and engaging game that users around the world will love. That is what I personally love about programming. You only need your computer, your knowledge, and some basic tools to create something amazing.

Popular programming languages used for game development include JavaScript, C++, Python, and C#.

If you are interested in learning game development, you can take these free courses on freeCodeCamp's YouTube channel:

• JavaScript Game Development Course for Beginners
• Learn Unity - Beginner's Game Development Tutorial
• Learn Python by Building Five Games - Full Course
• Code a 2D Game Using JavaScript, HTML, and CSS (w/ Free Game Assets) – Tutorial
• 2D Game Development with GDevelop - Crash Course
• Pokémon Coding Tutorial - CS50's Intro to Game Development

Biology, Physics, and Chemistry

Programming can be applied in every scientific field that you can imagine, including biology, physics, chemistry, and even astronomy. Yes! Scientists use programming all the time to collect and analyze data. They can even run simulations to test hypotheses.

In biology, computer programs can simulate population genetics and population dynamics. There is even an entire field called bioinformatics .

According to this article "Bioinformatics" by Ardeshir Bayat, member of the Centre for Integrated Genomic Medical Research at the University of Manchester:

Bioinformatics is defined as the application of tools of computation and analysis to the capture and interpretation of biological data.

Dr. Bayat mentions that bioinformatics can be used for genome sequencing. He also mentions that its discoveries may lead to drug discoveries and individualized therapies.

Frequently used programming languages for bioinformatics include Python, R, PHP, PERL, and Java.

💡 Tip: R is a programming "language and environment for statistical computing and graphics" ( source ).

An example of a great tool that scientists can use for biology is Biopython . This is a Python framework with "freely available tools for biological computation."

If you would like to learn more about how you can apply your programming skills in science, these are free courses that you can take on freeCodeCamp's YouTube channel:

• Python for Bioinformatics - Drug Discovery Using Machine Learning and Data Analysis
• R Programming Tutorial - Learn the Basics of Statistical Computing
• Learn Python - Full Course for Beginners [Tutorial]

Physics requires running many simulations and programming is perfect for doing exactly that. With programming, scientists can program and run simulations based on specific scenarios that would be hard to replicate in real life. This is much more efficient.

Programming languages that are commonly used for physics simulations include C, Java, Python, MATLAB, and JavaScript.  

Chemistry also relies on simulations and data analysis, so it's a field where programming can be a very helpful tool.

In this scientific article by Dr. Ivar Ugi and his colleagues from Organisch-chemisches Institut der Technischen Universität München, they mention that:

The design of entirely new syntheses, and the classification and documentation of structures, substructures, and reactons are examples of new applications of computers to chemistry.

Scientific experiments also generate detailed data and results that can be analyzed with computer programs developed by scientists.  

Think about it: writing a program to generate a box plot or a scatter plot or any other type of plot to visualize trends in thousands of measurements can save researchers a lot of time and effort. This lets them focus on the most important part of their work: analyzing the results.

💡 Tips: if you are interested in diving deeper into this, this is a list of chemistry simulations by the American Chemical Society. These simulations were programmed by developers and they are helping thousands of students and teachers around the world.

Think about it...You could build the next great simulation. If you are interested in a scientific field, I totally recommend learning how to code. Your work will be much more productive and your results will be easier to analyze.

If you are interested in learning programming for scientific applications, these are free courses on freeCodeCamp's YouTube channel:

• Python for Data Science - Course for Beginners (Learn Python, Pandas, NumPy, Matplotlib)

Data Science and Engineering

Talking about data...programming is also essential for a field called Data Science . If you are interested in answering questions through data and statistics, this field might be exactly what you are looking for and having programming skills will help you to achieve your goals.

Data scientists collect and analyze data in order to answer questions in many different fields. According to UC Berkeley in the article " What is Data Science? ":

Effective data scientists are able to identify relevant questions, collect data from a multitude of different data sources, organize the information, translate results into solutions, and communicate their findings in a way that positively affects business decisions.

There are many powerful programming languages for analyzing and visualizing data, but perhaps one of the most frequently used ones for this purpose is Python.

This is an example of the type of data visualizations that you can create with Python. They are very helpful to analyze data visually and you can customize them to your fit needs.

If you are interested in learning programming for data science, these are free courses on freeCodeCamp's YouTube channel:

• Learn Data Science Tutorial - Full Course for Beginners
• Intro to Data Science - Crash Course for Beginners
• Build 12 Data Science Apps with Python and Streamlit - Full Course
• Data Analysis with Python - Full Course for Beginners (Numpy, Pandas, Matplotlib, Seaborn)

💡 Tip: you can also earn these free certifications on freeCodeCamp:

• Data Visualization
• Data Analysis with Python

Engineering

Engineering is another field where programming can help you to succeed. Being able to write your own computer programs can make your work much more efficient.

There are many tools created specifically for engineers. For example, the R programming language is specialized in statistical applications and Python is very popular in this field too.

Another great tool for programming in engineering is MATLAB . According to its official website:

MATLAB is a programming and numeric computing platform used by millions of engineers and scientists to analyze data, develop algorithms, and create models.

Really, the possibilities are endless.

You can learn MATLAB with this crash course on the freeCodeCamp YouTube channel .

If you are interested in learning engineering tools related to programming, this is a free course on freeCodeCamp's YouTube channel that covers AutoCAD, a 2D and 3D computer-aided design software used by engineers:

• AutoCAD for Beginners - Full University Course

Medicine and Pharmacology

Medicine and pharmacology are constantly evolving by finding new treatments and procedures. Let's see how you can apply your programming skills in these fields.

Programming is really everywhere. If you are interested in the field of medicine, learning how to code can be very helpful for you too. Even if you would like to focus on computer science and software development, you can apply your knowledge in both fields.

Specialized developers are in charge of developing and writing the code that powers and controls the devices and machines that are used by modern medicine.

Think about it...all these machines and devices are controlled by software and someone has to write that software. Medical records are also stored and tracked by specialized systems created by developers. That could be you if you decide to follow this path. Sounds exciting, right?

According to the scientific article Application of Computer Techniques in Medicine :

Major uses of computers in medicine include hospital information system, data analysis in medicine, medical imaging laboratory computing, computer assisted medical decision making, care of critically ill patients, computer assisted therapy and so on.

Pharmacology

Programming and computer science can also be applied to develop new drugs in the field of pharmacology.

A remarkable example of what you can achieve in this field by learning how to code is presented in this article by MIT News. It describes how an MIT senior, Kristy Carpenter, was using computer science in 2019 to develop "new, more affordable drugs." Kristy mentions that:

Artificial intelligence, which can help compute the combinations of compounds that would be better for a particular drug, can reduce trial-and-error time and ideally quicken the process of designing new medicines.

Another example of a real-world application of programming in pharmacology is related to Python (yes, Python has many applications!). Among its success stories , we find that Python was selected by AstraZeneca to develop techniques and programs that can help scientists to discover new drugs faster and more efficiently.

The documentation explains that:

To save time and money on laboratory work, experimental chemists use computational models to narrow the field of good drug candidates, while also verifying that the candidates to be tested are not simple variations of each other's basic chemical structure.

If you are interested in learning programming for medicine or health-related fields, this is a free course on freeCodeCamp's YouTube channel on programming for healthcare imaging:

• PyTorch and Monai for AI Healthcare Imaging - Python Machine Learning Course

Have you ever thought that programming could be helpful for education? Well, let me tell you that it is and it is very important. Why? Because the digital learning tools that students and teachers use nowadays are programmed by developers.

Every time a student opens an educational app, browses an educational platform like freeCodeCamp, writes on a digital whiteboard, or attends a class through an online meeting platform, programming is making that possible.

As a programmer or as a teacher who knows how to code, you can create the next great app that will enhance the learning experience of students around the world.

Perhaps it will be a note-taking app, an online learning platform, a presentation app, an educational game, or any other app that could be helpful for students.

The important thing is to create it with students in mind if your goal is to make something amazing that will create long-lasting memories.

If you envision it, then you can create it with code.  

Teachers can also teach their students how to code to develop their problem-solving skills and to teach them important skills for their future.

💡 Tip: if you are teaching students how to code, Scratch is a great programming language to teach the basics of programming. It is particularly focused on teaching children how to code in an interactive way.

According to the official Scratch website:

Scratch is the world’s largest coding community for children and a coding language with a simple visual interface that allows young people to create digital stories, games, and animations.

If you are interested in learning how to code for educational purposes, these are courses that you may find helpful on freeCodeCamp's YouTube channel:

• Scratch Tutorial for Beginners - Make a Flappy Bird Game
• Computational Thinking & Scratch - Intro to Computer Science - Harvard's CS50 (2018)
• Android Development for Beginners - Full Course

Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Robotics

Some of the most amazing fields that are directly related to programming are Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Robotics. Let's see why.

Artificial Intelligence is defined by Britannica as:

The project of developing systems endowed with the intellectual processes characteristic of humans, such as the ability to reason, discover meaning, generalize, or learn from past experience.

Machine learning is a branch or a subset of the field of Artificial Intelligence in which systems can learn on their own based on data. The goal of this learning process is to predict the expected output. These models continuously learn how to "think" and how to analyze situations based on their previous training.

The most commonly used programming languages in these fields are Python, C, C#, C++, and MATLAB.

Artificial intelligence and Machine Learning have amazing applications in various industries, such as:

• Image and object detection.
• Making predictions based on patterns.
• Text recognition.
• Recommendation engines (like when an online shopping platform shows you products that you may like or when YouTube shows you videos that you may like).
• Spam detection for emails.
• Fraud detection.
• Social media features like personalized feeds.
• Many more... there are literally millions of applications in virtually every industry.

If you are interested in learning how to code for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, these are free courses on freeCodeCamp's YouTube channel:

• Machine Learning for Everybody – Full Course
• Machine Learning Course for Beginners
• PyTorch for Deep Learning & Machine Learning – Full Course
• TensorFlow 2.0 Complete Course - Python Neural Networks for Beginners Tutorial
• Self-Driving Car with JavaScript Course – Neural Networks and Machine Learning
• Python TensorFlow for Machine Learning – Neural Network Text Classification Tutorial
• Practical Deep Learning for Coders - Full Course from fast.ai and Jeremy Howard
• Deep Learning Crash Course for Beginners
• Advanced Computer Vision with Python - Full Course

💡 Tip: you can also earn a Machine Learning with Python Certification on freeCodeCamp.

Programming is also very important for robotics. Yes, robots are programmed too!

Robotics is defined by Britannica as the:

Design, construction, and use of machines (robots) to perform tasks done traditionally by human beings.

Robots are just like computers. They do not know what to do until you tell them what to do by writing instructions in your programs. If you learn how to code, you can program robots and industrial machinery found in manufacturing facilities.

If you are interested in learning how to code for robotics, electronics, and related fields, this is a free course on Arduino on freeCodeCamp's YouTube channel:

• Arduino Course for Beginners - Open-Source Electronics Platform

Other Applications

There are many other fascinating applications of programming in almost every field. These are some highlights:

• Agriculture: in this article by MIT News, a farmer developed an autonomous tractor app after learning how to code.
• Self-driving cars: autonomous cars rely on software to analyze their surroundings and to make quick and accurate decisions on the road. If you are interested in this area, this is a course on this topic on freeCodeCamp's YouTube channel.
• Finance: programming can also be helpful to develop programs and models that predict financial indicators and trends. For example, this is a course on algorithmic trading on freeCodeCamp's YouTube channel.

The possibilities are endless. I hope that this section will give you a notion of why learning how to code is so important for your present and for your future. It will be a valuable skill to have in any field you choose.

Awesome. Now let's dive into the soft skills that you need to become a successful programmer.

🔹 Skills of a Successful Programmer

After going through the diverse range of applications of programming, you must be curious to know what skills are needed to succeed in this field.

A programmer should be curious. Whether you are just starting to learn how to code or you already have 20 years of experience, coding projects will always present you with new challenges and learning opportunities. If you take these opportunities, you will continously improve your skills and succeed.

Enthusiasm is a key trait of a successful programmer but this applies in general to any field if you want to succeed. Enthusiasm will keep you happy and curious about what you are creating and learning.

💡 Tip: If you ever feel like you are not as enthusiastic as you used to be, it's time to find or learn something new that can light the spark in you again and fill you with hope and dreams.

A programmer must be patient because transforming an initial idea into a working product can take time, effort, and many different steps. Patience will keep you focused on your final goal.  

Programming can be challenging. That is true. But what defines you is not how many challenges you face, it's how you face them. If you thrive despite these challenges, you will become a better programmer and you could create something that could change the world.

Programmers must be creative because even though every programming language has a particular set of rules for writing the code, coding is like using LEGOs. You have the building-blocks but you need to decide what to create and how to create it. The process of writing the code requires creativity while following the established best practices.

Problem-solving and Analysis

Programming is basically analyzing and solving problems with code. Depending on your field of choice, those problems will be simpler or more complex but they will all require some level of problem-solving skills and a thorough analysis of the situation.

Questions like:

• What should I build?
• How can I build it?
• What is the best way to build this?

Are part of the everyday routine of a programmer.

Ability to Focus for Long Periods of Time

When you are working on a coding project, you will need to focus on a task for long periods of time. From creating the design, to planning and writing the code, to testing the result, and to fixing bugs (issues with the code), you will dedicate many hours to a particular task. This is why it's essential to be able to focus and to keep your final goal in mind.

Taking Detailed Notes

This skill is very important for programmers, particularly when you are learning how to code. Taking detailed notes can be help you to understand and remember the concepts and tools you learn. This also applies for experienced programmers, since being a programmer involves life-long learning.

Communication

Initially, you might think that programming is a solitary activity and imagine that a programmer spends hundreds of hours alone sitting on a desk.

But the reality is that when you find your first job, you will see that communication is super important to coordinate tasks with other team members and to exchange ideas and feedback.

Open to Feedback

In programming, there is usually more than one way to implement the same functionality. Different alternatives may work similarly, but some may be easier to read or more efficient in terms of time or resource consumption.

When you are learning how to code, you should always take constructive feedback as a tool for learning. Similarly, when you are working on a team, take your colleagues' feedback positively and always try to improve.

Life-long Learning

Programming equals life-long learning. If you are interested in learning how to code, you must know that you will always need to be learning new things as new technologies emerge and existing technologies are updated. Think about it... that is great because there is always something interesting and new to learn!

Open to Trying New Things

Finally, an essential skill to be a successful programmer is to be open to trying new things. Step out of your comfort zone and be open to new technologies and products. In the technology industry, things evolve very quickly and adapting to change is essential.

🔸 Tips for Learning How to Code

Now that you know more about programming, programming languages, and the skills you need to be a successful programmer, let's see some tips for learning how to code.

💡 Tip: these tips are based on my personal experience and opinions.

• Choose one programming language to learn first. When you are learning how to code, it's easy to feel overwhelmed with the number of options and entry paths. My advice would be to focus on understanding the essential computer science concepts and one programming language first. Python and JavaScript are great options to start learning the fundamentals.
• Take detailed notes. Note-taking skills are essential to record and to analyze the topics you are learning. You can add custom comments and annotations to explain what you are learning.
• Practice constantly. You can only improve your problem-solving skills by practicing and by learning new techniques and tools. Try to practice every day.

💡 Tip: There is a challenge called the #100DaysOfCode challenge that you can join to practice every day.  

• Always try again. If you can't solve a problem on your first try, take a break and come back again and again until you solve it. That is the only way to learn. Learn from your mistakes and learn new approaches.
• Learn how to research and how to find answers. Programming languages, libraries, and frameworks usually have official documentations that explain their built-in elements and tools and how you can use them. This is a precious resource that you should definitely refer to.
• Browse Stack Overflow . This is an amazing platform. It is like an online encyclopedia of answers to common programming questions. You can find answers to existing questions and ask new questions to get help from the community.
• Set goals. Motivation is one of the most important factors for success. Setting goals is very important to keep you focused, motivated, and enthusiastic. Once you reach your goals, set new ones that you find challenging and exciting.
• Create projects. When you are learning how to code, applying your skills will help you to expand your knowledge and remember things better. Creating projects is the perfect way to practice and to create a portfolio that you can show to potential employers.

🔹 Basic Programming Concepts

Great. If reading this article has helped you confirm that you want to learn programming, let's take your first steps.

These are some basic programming concepts that you should know:

• Variable: a variable is a name that we assign to a value in a computer program. When we define a variable, we assign a value to a name and we allocate a space in memory to store that value. The value of a variable can be updated during the program.
• Constant: a constant is similar to a variable. It stores a value but it cannot be modified. Once you assign a value to a constant, you cannot change it during the entire program.
• Conditional: a conditional is a programming structure that lets developers choose what the computer should do based on a condition. If the condition is True, something will happen but if the condition is False, something different can happen.
• Loop: a loop is a programming structure that let us run a code block (a sequence of instructions) multiple times. They are super helpful to avoid code repetition and to implement more complex functionality.
• Function: a function helps us to avoid code repetition and to reuse our code. It is like a code block to which we assign a name but it also has some special characteristics. We can write the name of the function to run that sequence of instructions without writing them again.

💡 Tip: Functions can communicate with main programs and main programs can communicate with functions through parameters , arguments , and return statements.

• Class: a class is used as a blueprint to define the characteristics and functionality of a type of object. Just like we have objects in our real world, we can represent objects in our programs.
• Bug: a bug is an error in the logic or implementation of a program that results in an unexpected or incorrect output.
• Debugging: debugging is the process of finding and fixing bugs in a program.
• IDE: this acronym stands for Integrated Development Environment. It is a software development environment that has the most helpful tools that you will need to write computer programs such as a file editor, an explorer, a terminal, and helpful menu options.

💡 Tip: a commonly used and free IDE is Visual Studio Code , created by Microsoft.

Awesome! Now you know some of the fundamental concepts in programming. Like you learned, each programming language has a different syntax, but they all share most of these programming structures and concepts.  

🔸 Types of Programming Languages

Programming languages can be classified based on different criteria. If you want to learn how to code, it's important for you to learn these basic classifications:

• High-level programming languages: they are designed to be understood by humans and they have to be converted into machine code before the computer can understand them. They are the programming languages that we commonly use. For example: JavaScript, Python, Java, C#, C++, and Kotlin.
• Low-level programming languages: they are more difficult to understand because they are not designed for humans. They are designed to be understood and processed efficiently by machines.

Conversion into Machine Code

• Compiled programming languages: programs written with this type of programming language are converted directly into machine code by a compiler. Examples include C, C++, Haskell, and Go.
• Interpreted programming languages: programs written with this type of programming language rely on another program called the interpreter, which is in charge of running the code line by line. Examples include Python, JavaScript, PHP, and Ruby.

💡 Tip: according to this article on freeCodeCamp's publication:

Most programming languages can have both compiled and interpreted implementations – the language itself is not necessarily compiled or interpreted. However, for simplicity’s sake, they’re typically referred to as such.

There are other types of programming languages based on different criteria, such as:

• Procedural programming languages
• Functional programming languages
• Object-oriented programming languages
• Scripting languages
• Logic programming languages

And the list of types of programming languages continues. This is very interesting because you can analyze the characteristics of a programming language to help you choose the right one for your project.

🔹 How to Contribute to Open Source Projects

Finally, you might think that coding implies sitting at a desk for many hours looking at your code without any human interaction. But let me tell you that this does not have to be true at all. You can be part of a learning community or a developer community.

Initially, when you are learning how to code, you can participate in a learning community like freeCodeCamp. This way, you will share your journey with others who are learning how to code, just like you.

Then, when you have enough skills and confidence in your knowledge, you can practice by contributing to open source projects and join developer communities.

Open source software is defined by Opensource.com as:

Software with source code that anyone can inspect, modify, and enhance.

GitHub is an online platform for hosting projects with version control. There, you can find many open source projects (like freeCodeCamp ) that you can contribute to and practice your skills.

💡 Tip: many open source projects welcome first-time contributions and contributions from all skill levels. These are great opportunities to practice your skills and to contribute to real-world projects.  

Contributing to open source projects on GitHub is great to acquire new experience working and communicating with other developers. This is another important skill for finding a job in this field.

Working on a team is a great experience. I totally recommend it once you feel comfortable enough with your skills and knowledge.

You did it! You reached the end of this article. Great work. Now you know what programming is all about. Let's see a brief summary.

🔸 In Summary

• Programming is a very powerful skill. If you learn how to code, you can make your vision come true.
• Programming has many different applications in many different fields. You can find an application for programming in basically any field you choose.
• Programming languages can be classified based on different criteria and they share basic concepts such as variables, conditionals, loops, and functions.
• Always set goals and take detailed notes. To succeed as a programmer, you need to be enthusiastic and consistent.

Thank you very much for reading my article. I hope you liked it and found it helpful. Now you know why you should learn how to code.

🔅 I invite you to follow me on Twitter ( @EstefaniaCassN ) and YouTube ( Coding with Estefania ) to find coding tutorials.

Developer, technical writer, and content creator @freeCodeCamp. I run the freeCodeCamp.org Español YouTube channel.

If you read this far, thank the author to show them you care. Say Thanks

Learn to code for free. freeCodeCamp's open source curriculum has helped more than 40,000 people get jobs as developers. Get started

Effective Problem-Solving Techniques in Business

Problem solving is an increasingly important soft skill for those in business. The Future of Jobs Survey by the World Economic Forum drives this point home. According to this report, complex problem solving is identified as one of the top 15 skills that will be sought by employers in 2025, along with other soft skills such as analytical thinking, creativity and leadership.

Dr. Amy David , clinical associate professor of management for supply chain and operations management, spoke about business problem-solving methods and how the Purdue University Online MBA program prepares students to be business decision-makers.

Why Are Problem-Solving Skills Essential in Leadership Roles?

Every business will face challenges at some point. Those that are successful will have people in place who can identify and solve problems before the damage is done.

“The business world is constantly changing, and companies need to be able to adapt well in order to produce good results and meet the needs of their customers,” David says. “They also need to keep in mind the triple bottom line of ‘people, profit and planet.’ And these priorities are constantly evolving.”

To that end, David says people in management or leadership need to be able to handle new situations, something that may be outside the scope of their everyday work.

“The name of the game these days is change—and the speed of change—and that means solving new problems on a daily basis,” she says.

The pace of information and technology has also empowered the customer in a new way that provides challenges—or opportunities—for businesses to respond.

“Our customers have a lot more information and a lot more power,” she says. “If you think about somebody having an unhappy experience and tweeting about it, that’s very different from maybe 15 years ago. Back then, if you had a bad experience with a product, you might grumble about it to one or two people.”

David says that this reality changes how quickly organizations need to react and respond to their customers. And taking prompt and decisive action requires solid problem-solving skills.

What Are Some of the Most Effective Problem-Solving Methods?

David says there are a few things to consider when encountering a challenge in business.

“When faced with a problem, are we talking about something that is broad and affects a lot of people? Or is it something that affects a select few? Depending on the issue and situation, you’ll need to use different types of problem-solving strategies,” she says.

Using Techniques

There are a number of techniques that businesses use to problem solve. These can include:

• Five Whys : This approach is helpful when the problem at hand is clear but the underlying causes are less so. By asking “Why?” five times, the final answer should get at the potential root of the problem and perhaps yield a solution.
• Gap Analysis : Companies use gap analyses to compare current performance with expected or desired performance, which will help a company determine how to use its resources differently or adjust expectations.
• Gemba Walk : The name, which is derived from a Japanese word meaning “the real place,” refers to a commonly used technique that allows managers to see what works (and what doesn’t) from the ground up. This is an opportunity for managers to focus on the fundamental elements of the process, identify where the value stream is and determine areas that could use improvement.
• Porter’s Five Forces : Developed by Harvard Business School professor Michael E. Porter, applying the Five Forces is a way for companies to identify competitors for their business or services, and determine how the organization can adjust to stay ahead of the game.
• Six Thinking Hats : In his book of the same name, Dr. Edward de Bono details this method that encourages parallel thinking and attempting to solve a problem by trying on different “thinking hats.” Each color hat signifies a different approach that can be utilized in the problem-solving process, ranging from logic to feelings to creativity and beyond. This method allows organizations to view problems from different angles and perspectives.
• SWOT Analysis : This common strategic planning and management tool helps businesses identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT).

“We have a lot of these different tools,” David says. “Which one to use when is going to be dependent on the problem itself, the level of the stakeholders, the number of different stakeholder groups and so on.”

Each of the techniques outlined above uses the same core steps of problem solving:

• Identify and define the problem
• Consider possible solutions
• Evaluate options
• Choose the best solution
• Implement the solution
• Evaluate the outcome

Data drives a lot of daily decisions in business and beyond. Analytics have also been deployed to problem solve.

“We have specific classes around storytelling with data and how you convince your audience to understand what the data is,” David says. “Your audience has to trust the data, and only then can you use it for real decision-making.”

Data can be a powerful tool for identifying larger trends and making informed decisions when it’s clearly understood and communicated. It’s also vital for performance monitoring and optimization.

How Is Problem Solving Prioritized in Purdue’s Online MBA?

The courses in the Purdue Online MBA program teach problem-solving methods to students, keeping them up to date with the latest techniques and allowing them to apply their knowledge to business-related scenarios.

“I can give you a model or a tool, but most of the time, a real-world situation is going to be a lot messier and more valuable than what we’ve seen in a textbook,” David says. “Asking students to take what they know and apply it to a case where there’s not one single correct answer is a big part of the learning experience.”

Make Your Own Decision to Further Your Career

An online MBA from Purdue University can help advance your career by teaching you problem-solving skills, decision-making strategies and more. Reach out today to learn more about earning an online MBA with Purdue University .

If you would like to receive more information about pursuing a business master’s at the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business, please fill out the form and a program specialist will be in touch!

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Welcome to the daily solving of our PROBLEM OF THE DAY with Saurabh Bansal. We will discuss the entire problem step-by-step and work towards developing an optimized solution. This will not only help you brush up on your concepts of Tree but also build up problem-solving skills. Given a Linked List Representation of Complete Binary Tree. The task is to construct the Binary tree and print the level order traversal of the Binary tree.  Note: The complete binary tree is represented as a linked list in a way where if the root node is stored at position i, its left, and right children are stored at position 2*i+1 , and 2*i+2 respectively. H is the height of the tree and this space is used implicitly for the recursion stack. Examples:

Input: n = 5, k = 1->2->3->4->5 Output: 1 2 3 4 5 Explanation: The tree would look like                  1           /   \         2        3    /   \  4      5 Now, the level order traversal of the above tree is 1 2 3 4 5.

Give the problem a try before going through the video. All the best!!! Problem Link: https://practice.geeksforgeeks.org/problems/make-binary-tree/1