secret_name's blog

Is 26 year old late to start CP?
By secret_name, history, 10 months ago, In English

Hi I am a 26 year old software engineer in an MNC. I wanted to start competitive programming my intention is just to enjoy the process and keep my brain sharp. No as such goal to become red coder, just wanted to do it as a hobby. Am i too late to start ? or is it not worth to give my time on this ?

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10 months ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +108 Vote: I do not like it

No, not late. And since you are novice, remember the rule: do not ask stupid questions here, better solve more problems.

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    10 months ago, # ^ |
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    One of the coldest comment I have ever seen on codeforces.

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      10 months ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +23 Vote: I do not like it

      Yet one of the most straightforward comment.

      It's a lot more better than those warm-looking cheater expose blogs and ask for improvement blogs that describes actually no info.

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    10 months ago, # ^ |
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    He didn't ask anything stupid. Maybe he is feeling uncertain and looking for encouragement. That is perfectly fine.

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      10 months ago, # ^ |
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      He asked a stupid question with obvious answer, because there is no obstacle to solve cp problems at any age if can.

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        10 months ago, # ^ |
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        It doesn’t have anything to do with "obvious answer".

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    4 weeks ago, # ^ |
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    Bro got western too fast

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10 months ago, # |
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if you like it then just start it you don't even need to ask us and even if someone says no it should not discourage you from doing something you like good luck in your journey

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10 months ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +110 Vote: I do not like it

CP is illegal in most countries, please consider another hobby

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10 months ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +16 Vote: I do not like it

Hadn't you started it more then 2 years ago?

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10 months ago, # |
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Imagine someone worried about being late to start running/cycling/dancing/drawing/whatever as a hobby, at X age.

By definition, hobbies are meant for pleasure, so there is no need to worry about time, worth or lateness, just try it out, if you like problem-solving it will be fun. 👍

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10 months ago, # |
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I'm 26. will be 27 in a few months. I started late in my uni year. Dropped it because i flunked c in first year and thought i wasn't meant for computers. Picked up python, found it much easier. Joined atcoder solved bunch of easy problems too boost my ego. Came to codeforces again, to start afresh and will continue i guess till i don't get a life or nagging wife.

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10 months ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +11 Vote: I do not like it

I am 167 yo. You're only 26 man come on just do it!

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10 months ago, # |
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It's not too late. It's never too late.

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    10 months ago, # ^ |
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    Even if I say "It'll be all right"

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      10 months ago, # ^ |
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      Still I hear you say, you want to end your life

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        10 months ago, # ^ |
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        Now and again we try to just stay alive

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        10 months ago, # ^ |
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        Irrelevant to post reply, but really orz bruder...

        It is difficult to reach high rating, but even more difficult to reach negative rating.... My friend gave a contest solving nothing, but still got +300...

        What's your secret behind this path bro?

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10 months ago, # |
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If you wish you'd started earlier, then perhaps later you'll wish you've started now.

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10 months ago, # |
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To start CP you only need passion for it age does not matter..

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10 months ago, # |
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I started at 31.

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    10 months ago, # ^ |
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    Hey,good evening. Can you please tell more about your experience and how you started with.

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      10 months ago, # ^ |
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      Nothing special. I was learning python for something related to my job, then one of my colleagues told me about Codeforces. I only wanted to be better than him. Then I found a discord group and people there made me push further. Now, my current goal is to be CM, let's see how much time it takes.

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10 months ago, # |
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Life is meaningless without problem solving. Start CP and get a meaning for life.

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10 months ago, # |
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yes it is , so what , who cares ? doesn't it feel nice to do things that are not meant to be done.

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10 months ago, # |
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I died at the age of 19 protecting my world. And here you're talking about CP? Of course you can start.

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10 months ago, # |
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Me as an example, I am not even computer science major. I start CP at my age of 25, just one year before 26, and now I am 29, and I am Master level (maybe drop back to CM or expert sooner, but at least I have been master before).

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10 months ago, # |
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I'm a software engineer as well, and had never spent much time at these kinds of coding problems before. Started CP a few months ago, at 38, and currently enjoying learning many things that I didn't have the chance or was too lazy to learn when I was younger. Just have fun!

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10 months ago, # |
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It's never too late to learn what we're going to like. Let's start bro!!

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10 months ago, # |
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No, if you are enjoying it there is definitely no problem doing this as a hobby

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10 months ago, # |
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I am 52yo, and start CP 2 years ago, even login CF this year. it is not too late in my life. Of cause if you have a children, it's better start early, mybe 9yo is better.

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10 months ago, # |
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It's never too late unless you are dead, and if you want, you can still reach the peak of success, just go on practising and don't worry about rating (YES, that's what I have learnt so far)(although u want to do it as a hobby, it will eventually allure you to ratings, which is really good, but enjoying problem solving is better than that)

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10 months ago, # |
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In China we can see some questions like "Is 6 year old late to start CP?":)

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10 months ago, # |
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Since humanity failed to reject femboys, the end of the world is coming. You should focus on spending the last few years with your friends and family before Earth explodes.

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10 months ago, # |
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Yes it's too late. From age 20 your brain function declines, there is no sense in starting in CP anymore. Better consider starting a less mentally taxing hobby like knitting or painting mandalas.

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    10 months ago, # ^ |
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    i hope it was a joke

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      10 months ago, # ^ |
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      I am of course very super serious. Which is why I of course will quit codeforces when I turn 21 in a few month, and maybe focus on collecting stamps and baking instead.

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    10 months ago, # ^ |
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    is this true ?

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10 months ago, # |
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you can start cycling/tennis/golf/soccer any time whenever you want

same applies to cp, but

you will never be pro, you will never catch up someone who start tennis at 12,

same applies to cp, so

as long as keep it as hobby, it's ok.

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10 months ago, # |
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Just curious, when did you learn how to code and what language do you often use in your work?

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10 months ago, # |
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I think it's all about perspective. If you put in effort and believe you can improve, it's extremely likely that you will. If you believe you're blocked by your age, then maybe you'll quit before you get the chance to improve.

Inspiration: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_bloomer

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10 months ago, # |
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I started in 19 (now I am also 26) and I found even that late.

But worth or not is a personal matter. What do you think you'd get away from CP?

If that was purely to enjoy the process and sharpening brain as you said, then sure, it's totally worth it. Think of it like every sport. Unless aimed for professional career, I think there is no "late" for activities with pure sportsmanship spirit.

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    10 months ago, # ^ |
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    How did you get the 10-year badge, if you started CP only 7 years ago?

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      10 months ago, # ^ |
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      The badge was there at the celebration of Codeforces' 10-year anniversary, and any account at that day could claim it (with a donation to the site) XD

      It wasn't about my account being senior enough to be able obtain it.

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10 months ago, # |
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age is just a simple digit of number...if you get success, we'll want to know how to solve the question easy way..Noone want to your age... :)

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10 months ago, # |
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I started at 33.

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10 months ago, # |
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Tomorrow is always later than today.

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4 weeks ago, # |
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I started at 23, it might be early but remember, I am not even from a science background! never studied any technical thing seriously in my entire life and took commerce as my stream in 12th standard(high school). anything is possible.

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4 weeks ago, # |
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The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.

Chinese proverb

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4 weeks ago, # |
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statistically yes,

you are probably top 4% oldest people on this site.

nearly half of red people is underage btw, and also 4/10 top 10 rated people is under 18

and this is my personal belief, I do think rating is inversely proportional to age with few exceptions like (tourist and some other LGM though every one of them were already at least GM level at the point when they were kids) because if you start late you need to spend more time but kids learn very very fast however you cannot afford time.

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4 weeks ago, # |
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Age is just a number go ahead and enjoy the process

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4 weeks ago, # |
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Yes because it's useless now

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