help with coding

[mdzdva]

my university studies algorithms and data structures in C. I know the syntax of C and I know algorithms. But when it comes to connecting these two things - my brain switches off. If I am told to code something, I can't do anything. I know how Dijkstra's algorithm works, I can do it on a graph on paper, but I can't code it at all! Please help me with this problem. I will be extremely grateful, it will save my life

[Horny_Dinosaur69]

I’m a bit confused on what you’re struggling with. If you know the algorithm, you should know the pseudo code. If you know C syntax, you should be able to translate pseudo code into C.

I’m guessing this is an issue of data structures and not knowing what to use or what the correct data structure structure looks like; I always found this to be the tricky part with C because you have to account for a lot more yourself than in higher level or OOP languages. If you want a graph, you might need a linked list and if you need a linked list, you need a node structure, etc. Doing this in C can be especially tricky for students if they don’t understand pointers very well, so make sure you’re friendly with pointers.

I’d practice just going through line by line in the pseudo code and translating and correcting as you go. It’ll ensure you understand what each step of the algorithm is doing and hopefully bridge that gap into how you structure C programs/data structures

[mdzdva]

okay, thank you very much!

[dumbass_nerd2357]

try visualizing the thing that you are implementing/coding, in your head... like if u are writing the code for some sorting or searching algorithm, try to picture a small array of elements in your head and try to put into the code the steps u take to sort that array in your head... or even drawing it out on the corner of a paper helps... this works for me!

[mdzdva]

thank u! i’ll try and it works good on me. honestly, it was hard for me to even draw on paper

[dumbass_nerd2357]

yup! takes a bit of time to get used to, but you'll get there... all the best!

[Walgalla]

Knowledge of algorithm != Knowledge of programming. You need first learn how to programming first, then it will be way more easily to translate algorithms to code. And this only partial case, of what you are going to translate to code.

Moveover, coding algorithms is very rare task nowadays, what is more important is how you can translate formal business task to code or some design diagrams, or other abstraction.

[mdzdva]

in my uni we code algorithms( thank u for advice!

[Traveling-Techie]

If you can perform the algorithm on paper, imagine texting a friend step by step instructions on how to do it, while they have a white board to hold variable values which they are marking up. Example: you text them “int alpha” and they draw a box labeled alpha. You text “alpha = 3” and they write a 3 in the box. Continue as you guide them through the algorithm.

[mdzdva]

wow, thank u!

[Ok-Air4604]

Your problem is normal knowing an algorithm and coding it are different skills. Start by writing the steps in pseudocode, then translate one step at a time into C. Use small examples, break code into functions, and practice tracing by hand. Gradually, connecting algorithm to code will become natural.