Project Euler

[plnyyanks]

A few weeks ago, I came across a wonderful website called Project Euler (http://projecteuler.net), a place with many many programming and mathematical challenges.

Project Euler is a series of challenging mathematical/computer programming problems that will require more than just mathematical insights to solve. Although mathematics will help you arrive at elegant and efficient methods, the use of a computer and programming skills will be required to solve most problems.

The motivation for starting Project Euler, and its continuation, is to provide a platform for the inquiring mind to delve into unfamiliar areas and learn new concepts in a fun and recreational context.

It's a great place to hone your programming skills (or to learn something new) during the offseason, and I suggest anyone who wants to be a better programmer take a stab at a few of the problems. I've done about 15 of the problems, and I already feel like I've learned something (plus, they're a great use of time). Happy coding!

note: there was a thread about this a while ago (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68192), but it would be better to make a new topic than to resurrect an old one

[Karthik]

A few weeks ago, I came across a wonderful website called Project Euler (http://projecteuler.net), a place with many many programming and mathematical challenges.

It's a great place to hone your programming skills (or to learn something new) during the offseason, and I suggest anyone who wants to be a better programmer take a stab at a few of the problems. I've done about 15 of the problems, and I already feel like I've learned something (plus, they're a great use of time). Happy coding!

note: there was a thread about this a while ago (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68192), but it would be better to make a new topic than to resurrect an old one

IMHO, Project Euler is the best way to learn how to program. The skills you develop while working on problems of this nature are far more valuable than those passed along through traditional programming exercises. Heck, I'm not much of a programmer, but I spend my spare time working on the Project Euler problems just with a pencil and paper. Coming up with algorithms and mathematical methods to solve these problems is a fun and valuable exercise.

For students out there who are really interested in number theory type problems, like those in Project Euler, but want to spend more time looking at the math behind them, take a look at this link:
http://www.cemc.uwaterloo.ca/events/mathcircle_presentations.html

There are some very interesting problems and lessons presented for those up for a minor challenge.

[LeelandS]

Thank you for posting this!! I'll be starting college in the fall for Computer Science, so this is a great way for me to stay in practice AND improve before then!

I've done CodingBat as part of the AP Comp Sci curriculum, but the problems are relatively simple for someone studying Computer Science, and are better for practicing skills I already have, not improving them and learning new ones. These ones are real challenges, and I love it!!

And, well... if Karthik approves of it, how can I not! :D

[Jogo]

Project Euler and the training pages at USACO are my favorite programming resources. Both excellent.

[Karthik]

Here's another great collection of problems, more programming heavy than the ones I posted earlier.

Canadian Computing Competition: http://cemc.math.uwaterloo.ca/contests/past_contests.html#ccc

[Andrew Schreiber]

IMHO, Project Euler is the best way to learn how to program. The skills you develop while working on problems of this nature are far more valuable than those passed along through traditional programming exercises. Heck, I'm not much of a programmer, but I spend my spare time working on the Project Euler problems just with a pencil and paper. Coming up with algorithms and mathematical methods to solve these problems is a fun and valuable exercise.

For students out there who are really interested in number theory type problems, like those in Project Euler, but want to spend more time looking at the math behind them, take a look at this link:
http://www.cemc.uwaterloo.ca/events/mathcircle_presentations.html

There are some very interesting problems and lessons presented for those up for a minor challenge.



NERD!

(thanks)

[jtdowney]

I am a big fan of programming challenges like Project Euler. If you like Euler you might also be interested in Facebook Puzzles (https://www.facebook.com/careers/puzzles.php) and Google Code Jam (http://code.google.com/codejam/).

[plnyyanks]

Also, any discussion about math-based problem sets is not complete without mention of the Google Labs Aptitude Test (http://cruftbox.com/blog/archives/001031.html), where the infamous question about the infinite grid of one-ohm resistors came from; the problem commonly used for nerd sniping (http://xkcd.com/356/).