Does anyone actually still do competitive programming? The best developers today orchestrate AI agents. They don't have to write algorithms from scratch in 45 minutes. AI can beat every coder on LeetCode anyway. It's wild how fast that stopped mattering. Understanding how code works is still important, but writing it from scratch is not.
Abhishek Prakash
1mo
Writing code is just one part of competitive programming(CP), and that's usually the easy part. IMO, the main goal of CP is to wire the brain for fast, effective problem solving, which is still definitely a needed skill today. Not saying CP is the only way, but it is still one of the effective ways to improve problem solving if you enjoy doing it.
totop.app
1mo
100% agree — understanding how code works is the real skill that never goes out of style. AI can generate solutions, but you still need to know why they work, especially when it comes to interviews. Knowing the fundamentals is what separates candidates who impress from those who struggle to explain their own code. If you're prepping for interviews in 2026, check out this guide: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7434219787762855936 — covers algorithms, system design, and how to use AI tools smartly during prep. 🚀
totop.app
3w
The skills that matter are shifting — from memorizing algorithms to knowing how to break down a problem, communicate your reasoning, and leverage the right tool at the right time. Competitive programming trained a certain kind of thinking, but the interview bar has shifted too. That's what we're building toward at totop.app — prep that focuses on communication and judgment, not just code recall.
Balaji Karabari
1mo
शुभेच्छा ! www.pustaksoft.com
Interesting take. Even as AI changes how code is written, problem-solving fundamentals still matter. At IndexScore we often see that underlying thinking skills remain a strong signal of capability.