Team Name: rooks_nitk
Team Members: Vadiraja K & Aadheeshwar Vijayakumar
Institution/Organization: National Institute of Technology Karnataka
SnackDown 2015 Rank: Indian 15
Q. CodeChef: When did you start coding and how did you learn?
Vadiraja K: I learnt c++ in high school; it was part of our curriculum
Aadheeshwar Vijayakumar: I started coding in 8th but competitive coding only in B. Tech 1st year. I learn from Q. CodeChef practicing problem, Topcoder tutorials, GeeksForGeeks, CodeForces.
Q. CodeChef: Could you name and share your first programming contest experience?
Vadiraja K: It was CodeChef October long 2013 I had just started competitive coding and was able to solve 4 questions. Those 4 green ticks made me very happy and got me into competitive coding
Aadheeshwar Vijayakumar: CodeChef Long Challenge. I solved only 3/4 questions but this gave me confidence & motivated me to learn more. The very next contest I coded 7/8.
Q. CodeChef: How often do you code on any given day & weekend?
Vadiraja K: Couple of hours
Aadheeshwar Vijayakumar: I code regularly. I make sure I participate at least in 1 contest per week.
Q. CodeChef: What was the biggest hurdle on your road to where you are today?
Vadiraja K: Laziness 😛
Aadheeshwar Vijayakumar: Time Management it’s crucial and also not making silly mistakes as penalties are too costly especially in short contests.
Q. CodeChef: What do you think biggest mistake competitive programmers make?
Vadiraja K: Going after points and rankings than learning
Aadheeshwar Vijayakumar: Time management and trying same question if stuck, we must probably give another question a try.
Q. CodeChef: What programming language do you use and why?
Vadiraja K: C++ I’ve been coding in c++ since high school so I’m more comfortable with it and it’s faster than most other languages
Aadheeshwar Vijayakumar: I prefer C++ due to my knowledge in the same and STL makes it easy to code.
Q. CodeChef: What advice do you have for other competitive programmers?
Vadiraja K: Start early! And never give up!
Aadheeshwar Vijayakumar: Keep Coding and Practicing.
Q. CodeChef: What do you like the most about CodeChef? And what would you don’t like in it?
Vadiraja K: Long contests are so much fun and a very nice learning experience it helped me a lot! I don’t like that in every cook off there’s some problem at the start
Aadheeshwar Vijayakumar: Good standard problems, nice editorials. CodeChef can train student in advanced coding concepts and its implementation thru camps and online tutorials by experts.
Q. CodeChef: What factors do you believe help you win?
Vadiraja K: Faster coding and a never give up attitude
Aadheeshwar Vijayakumar: Hard work, Determination, Perseverance, Leadership, Team Spirit.
Q. CodeChef: What motivates you to compete?
Vadiraja K: The green tick!
Aadheeshwar Vijayakumar: To learn more and nothing can match the sweetness of success.
Q. CodeChef: Where do you see yourself 5 years down the line?
Vadiraja K: In some IT firm coding my heart out!
Aadheeshwar Vijayakumar: As an Entrepreneur.
That, ladies & gentlemen is Team rooks_nitk to you. We thoroughly enjoyed their responses and hope you did too.
We will be back soon, so keep watching this space.
Regards,
Rudreshwar
Team Q. CodeChef
