Home

Answer

Spaces

Notifications
2

You have been blocked from contributing to Quora because your name does not comply with
our name policy. Please update your profile to use your real, full name.
If you are already using your real name, please submit a moderation appeal through the contact
form.

Are there any good books for competitive

programmers?
You cannot write an answer
You aren't allowed to write answers to questions.
28 Answers
Ansh Narad, B-Tech Computer Science & Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and
Technology (2021)
Updated Nov 15, 2018
Originally Answered: What are some good books for competitive programming?

If you really have a strong foundation of programming fundamentals and by that, I mean that you
are profound with all the concepts like searching (linear and binary), sorting (bubble, selection
and insertion), arrays, data structures, pointers and functions then you should start competitive
programming as soon as possible. But, if you are still having problems with any of the above-
mentioned topic you first need to work on understanding the basics involved in coding.

For those who are getting into competitive programming, I would highly recommend you to
practice on online platforms like Codechef, Codeforces, HackerRank, HackerEarth etc. They
are my personal favorite platforms to get hands-on competitive programming because they have
lots and lots of amazing questions to offer. They also conduct online programming competitions
on a monthly basis which will help you enhance your skills and build a stronger profile. If you
are already doing that and still, need additional books I suggest you should try these:-

1. Competitive programming 3 by Felix Halim and Steven Halim - This book contains a
collection of relevant data structures, algorithms, and programming tips written for
University students who want to be more competitive in the ACM International Collegiate
Programming Contest (ICPC), high school students who are aspiring to be competitive in
the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) etc. (Amazon description)
2. Cracking the Coding Interview by Gayle McDowell - WHAT'S INSIDE? - 189
programming interview questions, ranging from the basics to the trickiest algorithm
problems. - A walk-through of how to derive each solution, so that you can learn how to
get there yourself. - Hints on how to solve each of the 189 questions, just like what you
would get in a real interview. - Five proven strategies to tackle algorithm questions, so
that you can solve questions you haven't seen. - Extensive coverage of essential topics,
such as big O time, data structures, and core algorithms. - behind the scenes look at
how top companies like Google and Facebook hire developers. - Techniques to prepare
for and ace the soft side of the interview: behavioral questions. - For interviewers and
companies: details on what makes a good interview question and hiring process.
(Amazon description)
3. Data Structures and Algorithms made easy by Narasimha Karumanchi- A handy
guide of sorts for any computer science professional, Data Structures And Algorithms
Made Easy: Data Structures and Algorithmic Puzzles is a solution bank for various
complex problems related to data structures and algorithms. It can be used as a
reference manual by those readers in the computer science industry. This book serves
as guide to prepare for interviews, exams, and campus work. In short, this book offers
solutions to various complex data structures and algorithmic problems. (Amazon
description)
If you are doing competitive programming on one of the above-mentioned platforms and
following any of the books I mentioned then I think you are good to go.

For those who still face some problems in basic concepts of programming, I suggest you all buy
one of these first:-

1. C Programming: Beginner to Expert in 100 questions by Ansh Narad (that’s me) -

This book will give you more than enough knowledge to start with competitive
programming because it covers all the topics that I mentioned before. The book is
simplistic and contains all the necessary theory that is required to understand the
concepts along with questions and solutions for the better understanding of how logic
and algorithms are developed. I recommend this as a shortcut to get started with
competitive programming because it explains everything with 100 questions and
solutions. It contains all the logical thinking, patterns, loops, arrays, structures, pointers,
functions, recursion, series, searching, sorting and a few competitive questions at the
end in just 183 pages and the best part is that the E-book is available for just Rupees
100 at Amazon.
2. Let us C By Yashwant Kanetkar - This book contains all the concepts involved in c
programming in details with a complete explanation. For programming solutions, you’ll
have to buy another Let Us C solutions book. With both of these books, you’ll be clear
with concepts but it’ll also take a lot of time (months or half a year) to complete both of
them as together they make around 1200 pages. Buy this if you have a lot of time to
understand things.
3. Programming in C by E.Balagurusamy - Everything that I wrote for Let Us C goes for
this as well. Some people believe this to be better than Let Us C and some think the
other way around.

Links to everything mentioned above:-

1. Codechef: Programming Competition, Programming Contest, Online Computer

Programming
2. Codeforces: Codeforces
3. HackerRank: HackerRank
4. HackerEarth: HackerEarth - Programming challenges and Developer
5. Competitive Programming, 3rd Edition Competitive Programming, 3rd Edition:
Steven Halim: Amazon.com: Books
6. Cracking the Coding Interview: 189 Programming Questions and Solutions 189
Programing Questions and Solutions: Amazon.in: Gayle Laakmann McDowell: Books
7. Data structures and Algorithms made easy: Buy Data Structures and Algorithms
Made Easy: Data Structures and Algorithmic Puzzles Book Online at Low Prices in India
8. C Programming: Beginner to Expert in 100 Questions Beginner to Expert in 100
Questions eBook: Ansh Narad: Amazon.in: Kindle Store
9. Let Us C Buy Let Us C Book Online at Low Prices in India
10. Programming in ANSI C Buy Programming in ANSI C Book Online at Low Prices in
India

In the end, the skills you hone with rigorous and regular practice is actually going to matter so
practice as much as possible and try solving problems before seeing the solutions. I recommend
you to compare your solution with the one that is more efficient. This will help you develop your
logical thinking and aptitude for programming.

All the best.

Thanks to Stark Brain for editing this answer.

29.3k views · View Upvoters · View Sharers

7 comments from Raghav Raj, Shirish Veerabattini and more

Sutirtha Rej, competitive programmer

Updated Sep 13, 2019
Originally Answered: Which book should I use for competitive programming?

you can start with CP3 book by steven halim

Link:Competitive Programming 3.pdf ,

I read a post over commonlounge , and someone shared a book named competitive programmers
handbook by antti laaksonen

link :https://cses.fi/book.pdf,

and that will work really good as a reference and you ain’t learn an algo like that for that you
need to solve problems from online judges. :) , this answer is somewhat specific for competitive
programming , and I would say solve problems and learn things gradually .

12.3k views · View Upvoters

Cannot add comment at this time.

View collapsed comments
Related Spaces (More Answers Below)

1.
 Coronavirus

Shared knowledge and experiences regarding COVID-19


The Bibliophage Space
For those who devour a hundred or more books a year.


Habib's Reading List
Books, articles, research studies, polls, and other informative content.


The Ever Never Army
School for Good and Evil fans unite!


We talk about books
Here's a place to share and talk about the books in our lives


Inkworld
Where teens & adults alike can share their writing & literary opinions.

Notable Novels
Reviewing some of the best books we've read.
Discover More Spaces

Ana Echavarria, ICPC World Finalist 2013

Answered Mar 5, 2017
Originally Answered: What is the best competitive programming book?

I think that a very good book that is exclusively for competitive programming is Competitive
Programming 3 by Steven Halim.
This book contains an explanation of the main algorithms and solving techniques for competitive
programming as well as examples of problems in online judges where you need to use them.

There are some other very good algorithms books and programming books that are very helpful
for competitive programming. You can find more details about it in my other answers
Which books have you read to compete in the ACM -ICPC?
What are some good books for competitive programming?

48.1k views · View Upvoters · View Sharers · Answer requested by Kirolos William
4 comments from José Estrella-Campaña and more

Related QuestionsMore Answers Below

 What is the best strategy to improve my skills in competitive programming in C++ in 2-3
months?

 How much of C++ should I learn for competitive programming?

 Why is there so much fuss about competitive programming in India?

Rakshit Choudhary, B.E Information Technology & Competitive Programming (2018)
Answered Jul 23, 2017
Originally Answered: What are the best algorithms and DS books for beginners preparing for
competitive programming?

I would say “solving” itself can accelerate your performance, but in case you need to get a
course or read a book:

 CLRS: Introduction to Algorithms is a must have: Amazon Link

 MIT OCW courses: 6.006 is an introductory algorithms class: Introduction to Algorithms;
there is a collection of videos from the class on YouTube from Fall 2011: MIT 6.006
Introduction to Algorithms, Fall 2011
 6.046 is a more advanced, theoretical algorithms class: Design and Analysis of
Algorithms. Unfortunately, the videos that are available for this class are a bit old: MIT
6.046J / 18.410J Introduction to Algorithms ...

(more)

Muhiminul Islam Osim, CSE Undergrad, Competitive Programmer,Sport Programmer

Answered Jul 24, 2018
Originally Answered: What are some good books for competitive programming?

There are a lot of books you can buy for competitive programming. I suggest two of them here.

“Competitive Programming 3” by Steven Halim & Felix Halim helps very well to gather
problem solving knowledge. Here you can practice many types of problems.

If you want to get some knowledge about algorithm, then “Introduction to Algorithm” by
Thomas H. Cormen is the best book to read, I think.

Besides these books, you can also use online or participate in programming camp to learn
competitive programming.

1.2k views · View Upvoters · View Sharers · Answer requested by Rohan Choudhary and
Shanzida Anika

Related Questions

 What is the best strategy to improve my skills in competitive programming in C++ in 2-3
months?
  How much of C++ should I learn for competitive programming?

 Why is there so much fuss about competitive programming in India?

 What are some of the best books for competitive programming? Where can we find a lot
of solved examples?

 What's your story as a competitive programmer?

 Which are the books to improve C++ programming skills for competitive programming?

 Are books like 'Competitive programming 3' by Steven Halim better than solving contest
problems randomly from different sites?

 What is the (absolute) best competitive programming book?

 Which is the best platform to learn competitive programming?

 What are the books that people recommend for a programming beginner eager to do
competitive programming?

 What is your review of Competitive Programming 3 (book)?

 Who are some good-looking competitive programmers?

 I am planning to quit my job and spend 1 year in competitive programming and target to
get red on Topcoder, what do you think? Am I crazy?

 What road map do you suggest for a beginner in programming to learn algorithms and
data structures to usable level for competitive programming...

 What should I know before starting competitive programming?

Related Questions

 What is the best strategy to improve my skills in competitive programming in C++ in 2-3
months?

 How much of C++ should I learn for competitive programming?

 Why is there so much fuss about competitive programming in India?

 What are some of the best books for competitive programming? Where can we find a lot
of solved examples?

 What's your story as a competitive programmer?

  Which are the books to improve C++ programming skills for competitive programming?

Ask Question ·
More Related Questions
Top Stories from Your Feed