Guide to Competitive Programming

This textbook features new material on advanced topics, such as calculating Fourier transforms, finding minimum cost flows in graphs, and using automata in string problems. Critically, the text accessibly describes and shows how competitive programming is a proven method of implementing and testing algorithms, as well as developing computational thinking and improving both programming and debugging skills. Topics and features: Introduces dynamic programming and other fundamental algorithm design techniques, and investigates a wide selection of graph algorithms Compatible with the IOI Syllabus, yet also covering more advanced topics, such as maximum flows, Nim theory, and suffix structures Provides advice for students aiming for the IOI contest Surveys specialized algorithms for trees, and discusses the mathematical topics that are relevant in competitive programming Examines the use of the Python language in competitive programming Discusses sorting algorithms and binary search, and