How many coding problems should I solve in a day?

The number of coding problems you should solve in a day depends on several factors, including your current skill level, your goals, and how much time you can dedicate to practice. Quality often matters more than quantity, as understanding concepts deeply will benefit you more than superficially solving a larger number of problems. Here are some guidelines to help you determine an effective and sustainable practice routine:

1. Set Realistic Goals

• Skill Level: If you are a beginner, start slowly to avoid burnout and frustration. Solving 1-2 problems a day can be a good start as it gives you enough time to thoroughly understand each problem and learn from it. As you become more comfortable, you can gradually increase this number.
• Preparation Time: If you are preparing for an upcoming interview, you might need to increase the intensity of your practice depending on how much time you have left. For example, solving 3-5 problems a day could be suitable if your interview is a few weeks or months away.

2. Focus on Quality Over Quantity

• Understanding Over Solving: It's better to solve fewer problems and understand them deeply than to rush through many problems without grasping the underlying principles. Make sure you can explain why your solution works and consider different approaches and their trade-offs.
• Review and Reflect: After solving each problem, spend time reviewing your solution. Check if there are more efficient or elegant ways to solve the problem. Many platforms like LeetCode provide a discussion board where you can learn from others' solutions.

3. Vary the Difficulty and Topics

• Mix Difficulty Levels: Include a mix of easy, medium, and hard problems in your practice. Starting with easier problems can build confidence, while tackling harder problems will improve your problem-solving skills.
• Cover All Areas: Ensure that you cover a variety of topics, such as data structures, algorithms, dynamic programming, etc. This will prepare you for a wide range of questions in interviews.

4. Schedule Regular Breaks

• Avoid Burnout: Coding intensively for long periods can lead to burnout. Make sure to take regular breaks and maintain a balanced schedule. For instance, you might work on problems for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break (Pomodoro Technique).

5. Assess and Adjust

• Monitor Progress: Keep track of the problems you solve, noting which types of problems or topics are more challenging for you. This insight can help you adjust your focus to areas that need more attention.
• Feedback and Adaptation: If you find yourself consistently struggling even after significant effort, consider seeking feedback from more experienced peers or mentors. They might provide insights or learning strategies that you hadn’t considered.

6. Maintain Consistency

• Daily Practice: Consistency is key in building and maintaining your problem-solving skills. Try to make coding practice a regular part of your daily routine, even if the number of problems you solve each day varies.

Conclusion

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how many coding problems you should solve each day. The best approach is to set a realistic and sustainable goal based on your personal circumstances and adjust as you progress. Focus on understanding the problems deeply and diversifying your practice to cover different areas and difficulty levels. Regular, consistent practice coupled with a focus on quality will yield the best results in improving your coding skills.