usaco-guide/content/0_Intro/2_Intro_Prerequisites.md

---
slug: /intro/prerequisites
title: Prerequisites
author: Nathan Wang
order: 2
---

Here's what you should learn before reading these resources.

<!-- END DESCRIPTION -->
 
These resources do not teach you how to code. We recommend you learn roughly the first half of AP Computer Science A before continuing. If you do not meet these prerequisites, you can go to the resources below to get started.

Familiarity with contest math (ex. AIME qualification) is helpful but not required.

Expected Knowledge:

- Variables
  - Data types
- Reading Input
- Writing Output
- Loops
- If/else
- Logical operators
- Functions
  - Basic Recursion (a function calling itself)
- Arrays
  - Multidimensional Arrays

## Introductory Resources

### Learning to Code

[Sololearn](https://www.sololearn.com/) has courses on C++, Java, and Python. You don't have to complete the full course.

 - For C++, we recommend you finish Sololearn up to (but not including) "More on Classes."

[[info | Pro Tip]]
| You do not need to learn pointers (for now). Knowledge of structs and classes is useful but not required.

### Getting Started

  - [CodeSignal](https://codesignal.com/)
    - good place to practice basics
  - [IOI: Getting Started](https://ioinformatics.org/page/getting-started/14)
  - [Philippines OI: Prepare](https://noi.ph/prepare/)
  - [Schedule for Beginners](https://www.quora.com/What-is-a-good-schedule-to-follow-for-becoming-better-at-competitive-programming-for-beginners)
  - [E869120 Tutorial](http://codeforces.com/blog/entry/53341)
update homepage 2020-06-03 22:48:48 +00:00			`---`
			`slug: /intro/prerequisites`
update frontmatter for all modules 2020-06-04 05:39:49 +00:00			`title: Prerequisites`
first attempt at auto generating syllabus 2020-06-04 00:38:30 +00:00			`author: Nathan Wang`
add order to modules and split by section 2020-06-04 03:58:45 +00:00			`order: 2`
update homepage 2020-06-03 22:48:48 +00:00			`---`

update frontmatter for all modules 2020-06-04 05:39:49 +00:00			`Here's what you should learn before reading these resources.`
update author 2020-06-03 16:39:55 +00:00
update frontmatter for all modules 2020-06-04 05:39:49 +00:00			`<!-- END DESCRIPTION -->`

restructure intro syllabus 2020-06-03 16:16:21 +00:00			`These resources do not teach you how to code. We recommend you learn roughly the first half of AP Computer Science A before continuing. If you do not meet these prerequisites, you can go to the resources below to get started.`
add intro_prerequisites draft 2020-06-03 04:03:02 +00:00
+ General 2020-06-08 19:51:58 +00:00			`Familiarity with contest math (ex. AIME qualification) is helpful but not required.`

update prerequisites 2020-06-07 01:05:28 +00:00			`Expected Knowledge:`

			`- Variables`
			`- Data types`
			`- Reading Input`
			`- Writing Output`
			`- Loops`
			`- If/else`
			`- Logical operators`
			`- Functions`
			`- Basic Recursion (a function calling itself)`
			`- Arrays`
			`- Multidimensional Arrays`

+ General 2020-06-08 19:51:58 +00:00			`## Introductory Resources`
add intro_prerequisites draft 2020-06-03 04:03:02 +00:00
+ General 2020-06-08 19:51:58 +00:00			`### Learning to Code`
add intro_prerequisites draft 2020-06-03 04:03:02 +00:00
+ General 2020-06-08 19:51:58 +00:00			`[Sololearn](https://www.sololearn.com/) has courses on C++, Java, and Python. You don't have to complete the full course.`
add bronze containers 2020-06-06 04:28:54 +00:00
+ General 2020-06-08 19:51:58 +00:00			`- For C++, we recommend you finish Sololearn up to (but not including) "More on Classes."`
add bronze containers 2020-06-06 04:28:54 +00:00
add markdown info block 2020-06-07 01:29:02 +00:00			`[[info \| Pro Tip]]`
			`\| You do not need to learn pointers (for now). Knowledge of structs and classes is useful but not required.`

+ General 2020-06-08 19:51:58 +00:00			`### Getting Started`
add bronze containers 2020-06-06 04:28:54 +00:00
+ General 2020-06-08 19:51:58 +00:00			`- [CodeSignal](https://codesignal.com/)`
			`- good place to practice basics`
			`- [IOI: Getting Started](https://ioinformatics.org/page/getting-started/14)`
			`- [Philippines OI: Prepare](https://noi.ph/prepare/)`
			`- [Schedule for Beginners](https://www.quora.com/What-is-a-good-schedule-to-follow-for-becoming-better-at-competitive-programming-for-beginners)`
			`- [E869120 Tutorial](http://codeforces.com/blog/entry/53341)`