Competing

[voidStream]

How far in c++ or any programmig langiage do i have to go inorder to be able to compete in topcoder or codechef. I was looking at the stuff at topcoder like challenge yourself but I didnt really understand how I would be able to solve some of the stuff there.

[Smac89]

For c++, basic knowledge of the stl library will get you through some of the problems on codechef. Topcoder is more for pros because the prizes involved are cash prizes ($500 - ~$1000).

The problems are focused more on applying efficient methods to solve the problem. So no matter, how good you are at programming, if you don't have the required method of solving, you will not be able to solve any of the problems.

Recommendation is to solve the beginner problems using the basic c++ you know because this will help you to start recognizing problem types for much harder problems and it will also develop your knowledge of c++. You can even decide to start solving problems using a totally new language (I did this with python - codeforces), and it won' matter much because unless you know a method of solving, you won't know where to start asking any questions you might have.