Learning C++ Programming

Hey nayidulhan, good to see a thread from you!

The pros and cons of introducing programming in the age of advanced AI tools like ChatGPT, the appropriate age to start learning, and the decision between following a structured curriculum or allowing the child to take the lead and explore independently are all highly subjective and nuanced topics. Each approach has its own set of advantages and challenges, making it a conversation worthy of deeper exploration in a separate thread. Here below I am sharing a few resources for learning C++ :

1. Learn C++ – Skill up with our free tutorials (note the website name learncpp dot com has no hyphens, do not use a similar sounding website that has a hyphen between "learn" and "cpp")

The first few lessons in learncpp dot com talk about installing an IDE on the computer, maybe for a young kid better to use an online IDE at the start. I vaguely remember the site has some ads, there is no ad-free paid version. Maybe once or twice take a look at the kind of ads showing up.

2. W3Schools.com
w3schools is a popular online tutorial place for programming languages. I found this YouTube video provides a good video companion for the first few chapters of the w3Schools C++ course:


You said your child wants to learn on her own, if that changes there are a few online tutor options like https://www.teacheron.com/ (a weekly meeting to ask doubts might not be a bad idea)

Repeating for those in the back bench:
The pros and cons of introducing programming in the age of advanced AI tools like ChatGPT, the appropriate age to start learning, and the decision between following a structured curriculum or allowing the child to take the lead and explore independently are all highly subjective and nuanced topics. Each approach has its own set of advantages and challenges, making it a conversation worthy of deeper exploration in a separate thread.

 

Structured Guidance for Competitive Programming
Competitive programming requires significant time and effort for preparation. Since students already have a busy schedule with schoolwork, it’s essential to approach preparation in a structured way to make the most of their limited time.

Online Resources
There are several free resources available, including well-known online courses and PDF books. The key is to choose resources that are directly relevant to the specific competitions your child plans to participate in. Google the competition name to find the most recommended course or book for that competition.

Choose the Competitions
A good starting point is to decide which competitions to focus on, as preparation strategies often vary depending on the event. Most competition websites provide a list of recommended resources, which can guide preparation. Additionally, searching the competition name on platforms like Quora or Reddit can provide valuable advice and insights from past participants. I personally would recommend sticking to solo competitions and not team based ones at least to start with.

Programming Language Recommendations
C++ is widely considered the preferred language for competitive programming due to its speed and functionality, but the choice of language only becomes critical at advanced levels. For beginners, it’s better to start with a language they are already comfortable with, like Java or Python, and practice problems from previous years of a given competition. While practicing, they can also begin learning C++ syntax in parallel. Once they reach a higher level, switching to C++ will be easier and should take just a few days.

Starting with C++: An Alternative Approach
If preferred, your child could start with C++ from the beginning, but this involves a steeper learning curve. This approach may work well for those who are willing to dedicate extra time early on.