7 Best Programming Puzzles Websites in 2023

All the puzzles may have multiple solutions, and the interviewer wants to see how you find the most efficient solution and how you think through the problem. Since in programming there is so much competition, you must master yourself by searching for new methods to learn and become a really demanded employee.

You must have great skill in problem-solving, which becomes a kind of proof of your ability to provide solutions in programming. That’s why many superb companies like Google and Microsoft conduct coding contests to hire candidates. You are given a programming puzzle and you have to find the fastest and the easiest way to solve that puzzle. You must use Logic and Algorithms to get the most efficient solution in a short period of time.

You may have a question, what are the standard puzzles asked in programming interviews.

1. Ant and Triangle Problem

Three ants are sitting at the three corners of an equilateral triangle. Each ant randomly picks a direction and starts to move along the edge of the triangle. What is the probability that none of the ants collide?
Here's the solution. 

2. 100 Doors Puzzle

You have 100 doors in a row that are all initially closed. you make 100 passes by the doors starting with the first door every time. the first time through you visit every door and toggle the door the second time you only visit every 2nd door, the third time, every 3rd door etc, until you only visit the 100th door. What state are the doors in after the last pass? Which are open and which are closed?

Here's the solution.

What are algorithm puzzles in programming? 

An algorithm consists of a logic component that defines the knowledge to be used to solve puzzles, and a control component that determines the problem-solving strategy by which that knowledge is used.

An understanding of algorithms is essential for programmers to program more efficiently. An algorithm is a step-by-step and logical approach that defines a systematic process for computers to solve a particular problem. It consists of a set of rules that define how a task should be performed to produce the expected results. Algorithms are conceptual and can be described using language or schemas. We can implement algorithm puzzles in different programming languages​​. When we use a computer to solve a specific problem, we must clearly tell the computer these steps to the solution.

Algorithms are generally developed independent of the underlying languages, meaning that an algorithm can be implemented in more than one programming language.

The importance of programming logic puzzles

The logic component determines the meaning of the algorithm while the control component only affects its effectiveness.

You might be getting frustrated when you see that you don’t get logic in programming, and you don’t know how to start solving logic puzzles which cause problems in programming. It’s a common problem in beginners and they give up on programming because they think when they realize that the programming is not their job. Actually, logic is the fundamental key to becoming a good developer. It doesn’t matter if you are a front-end developer or backend developer, you need to use logic to solve a puzzle and optimize your code. 

The beginners must understand that only practicing is the way to get the logic in programming. Practicing enough makes you experienced and the more experience you will have the better programmer you’ll become. Also, you need to be patient enough not to leave it by thinking it is not your job.

So, if you have decided to continue your way, here are top 7 popular programming puzzle sites that will help strengthen your skills and improve your programming, problem-solving, and logical thinking skills.

• LeetCode
• Pepcoding
• Project Euler
• NADOS
• HackerEarth
• CodeWars
• CodeChef

Updated: 03 March, 2023