How to start compititive coding

Definition

          Competitive programming is a mind sport usually held over the internet or a local network, involving participants trying to program according to provided specifications.
             
          There are many platforms that conduct coding competitions every month among them I know some of them they are

• Code Chef
• HackerRank
• HackerEarth
• At Coders
• Code Forces

Steps

1. Learn a programming language (like C++, java, python) there are many languages more than 100 to participate in the CP.
2. Learn basic programs like pattern printing, factorial, Fibonacci service, etc.
3. Data Structures like a stack, queue, Sorting Technics, and searching algorithms.
4. Next some basic algorithms the shortest path problems.
5. Time complicity of a program the main topic that you have to learn before participation in CP.
6. Practice the problems there are many websites that provide problems to practice.

Best Languages for CP

1. C++
2. Java
3. Python

           Most of the people request to use c++ because its fast and have rich inbuilt algorithms. when compared with other languages.

Websites

           Most of the websites host the competition every month some websites have different types of names

CodeChef

    there are three types of contest every month 

1. Long Term 10 days of a time period
2. Cookoff 2 hours of a time period (9:30pm to 11:30pm)
3. LunchTime 3 hours of a time period (7:30pm to 11:30pm)

CodeForce

    there are 4 div contest in the code force 

1. Div 1 is hard 
2. div 2,3,4 are slightly easy and can solve problems with some knowledge for a fresher

    The freshers are requested to start programming from these two div3 and div4 only because these divisions have simple and basic problems.

Important Links

1.   A complete study of algorithms and data structures what to learn
2.     If you are using python for CP then try these Lines of code in your program that make your code run faster and better 
3.     The Complete Guide to start CP