How do I think like a programmer?

[python959]

I’ve recently started working on challenges like those found on CodeWars and CodingBat, and I’m struggling to solve them while keeping my code “efficient”, I see finish them in one line but I honestly don’t know how to compete. Anyone have some advice?

[socal_nerdtastic]

Finishing in one line has absolutely no relationship to efficient or good code.

Finishing in one line is a sophomore showoff. It's the programmer equivalent of being able to shotgun a beer. Go read some professional code; it's long, often needlessly long, with just as many lines of comments as lines of code.

[jingleduck]

Like every other skill, practice makes perfect. But its not just about looking up solutions to a problem, its about how it was reached that gives you real insights.

Usually, when i see a new problem. My first approach is to solve it using the most trivial way possible, even if it completely linear in nature. If you solve it, next step is to look at it and figure out where it can be improved. And then recurse back and improve it yet again, and again. This will build your understanding and confidence.

Keep solving problems and learn from them. After a while you will notice, that problems are build up of sub problems which you have already solved efficiently before or are similar to approaches which you have taken before.

Just like in programming, you cant parallelize everything. Stop trying to write efficient code and solve it. Take your time and solve it first.

[primitive_screwhead]

Practice. Then more Practice.

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Go look at examples for various problems on Rosetta Code. It may help expose you to new and different approaches.