How To Think And Problem Solve In Coding

Summary

In this video, Qazi from Clever Programmer explains how to think and solve coding problems effectively. He discusses the common mistakes beginners make, like coding without planning, and emphasizes the importance of breaking down problems into smaller components before jumping into writing code. Using a Tic-Tac-Toe game as an example, he demonstrates how to divide tasks like creating a board, detecting wins, and handling game states. Qazi encourages the use of whiteboards for problem-solving and shares insights on building a solid plan before coding. He also invites viewers to join him in a 30-day challenge.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Learning to solve coding problems involves thinking critically and breaking down tasks into smaller parts.
• 👨‍🏫 Beginners often fall into 'tutorial purgatory,' where they spend time learning from tutorials without fully understanding the concepts.
• 📅 Qazi is on a 30-day video challenge, where he posts a video every day and encourages others to join him in taking on daily challenges.
• 📈 Effective problem-solving involves breaking down problems into manageable parts before starting to code.
• 💻 For a project like a Tic-Tac-Toe game, first identify the core components, like setting up the board and defining win conditions.
• 🎯 Use tools like a whiteboard or paper to map out a high-level plan for coding projects. This helps clarify the overall structure.
• 🚧 To determine a win in Tic-Tac-Toe, break down the checks into separate functions for rows, columns, and diagonals.
• 🔄 Coding isn't just typing – it requires planning and critical thinking before jumping into code.
• 📖 Start by understanding the problem in simple language (like English) and then break it down into a step-by-step plan.
• 📱 Qazi is active on Instagram, where he shares daily updates, tips, and behind-the-scenes content. He encourages followers to join his challenges and connect.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the video?

The speaker is Qazi from cleverprogrammer.com, also known as Papa Python.

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic is how to think and solve problems effectively, especially in coding.

What common issue do beginners face when learning to code, according to Qazi?

Beginners often get stuck in 'tutorial purgatory,' where they follow tutorials but don't retain the knowledge or understand the material deeply.

What advice does Qazi give for approaching coding problems?

Qazi advises breaking down the problem into smaller components, using tools like a whiteboard or paper to visualize and structure the solution before coding.

What example does Qazi use to explain problem-solving in coding?

He uses the example of creating a Tic-Tac-Toe game, explaining how to break it down into manageable parts like checking rows, columns, and diagonals for a win.

What are the steps Qazi suggests before starting to write code?

Qazi suggests first understanding the problem in plain language, breaking it down into components, and then creating a plan of action for writing the code.

Why does Qazi emphasize the importance of thinking at a high level when coding?

He believes many beginners jump into coding without proper planning, leading to confusion. Thinking at a high level helps to structure the solution logically before dealing with technical details.

What analogy does Qazi use to explain how to approach coding problems?

He uses the analogy of eating an elephant: you do it one bite at a time, breaking the task down into small, manageable pieces.

What functions does Qazi suggest for solving the Tic-Tac-Toe problem?

Qazi suggests creating functions like 'checkRows,' 'checkColumns,' 'checkDiags,' and 'checkWin' to handle different aspects of detecting a win in the game.

How does Qazi suggest staying motivated and improving coding skills?

He encourages doing daily challenges, like his own 30-day video challenge, and following him on Instagram for inspiration, behind-the-scenes insights, and accountability.