# Competitive Programming: Benefits, Career Value, and Criticism

DevFeed: [Competitive Programming: Benefits, Career Value, and Criticism](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/to-cp-or-not-to-cp-25683.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://blog.sanskar10100.dev/to-cp-or-not-to-cp>)

Author: Sanskar Agrawal

Published: 2021-11-14T13:29:40Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [Sanskar's Stuff](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/sanskar-s-stuff.md>)

Topics: [Programming](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/programming.md>), [coding](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/coding.md>), [Software](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/software.md>)

Tags: [career](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/career.md>), [coding](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/coding.md>), [competitive-programming](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/competitive-programming.md>), [opinion](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/opinion.md>), [programming](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/programming.md>)

## AI overview

The author presents competitive programming as a puzzle-like activity that develops fast problem-solving under constraints and may help with recruiting. The article also discusses criticism of competitive programming, including coding habits that may not reflect software engineering, and notes alternative paths such as building apps or contributing to open source.

## Source excerpt

Before we start, I'd like to clarify where I'm coming from. I like Nikola Tesla, Guido van Rossum and Steve Wozniak. Money is important, but it's not as important as doing good engineering. How is this relevant? I want you to know where I'm coming fr...