Introduction - Advent of Code 2024

Solve puzzles, strengthen your coding skills, and embrace the process. This Advent of Code series explores challenges, mistakes, and solutions, with insights into problem-solving and coding in Go. Let’s grow together!

What is the “Advent of Code”?

Advent of Code is an annual event that brings a new twist to the holiday season for developers and puzzle enthusiasts alike. Every day from December 1st to 25th, you get two unique puzzles to solve. Each challenge requires you to process a personalized input and find the correct output. This approach ensures that while the logic remains consistent for everyone, your answers are unique to you. It’s a fun way to flex your problem-solving muscles, sharpen your coding skills, and experience the thrill of cracking complex logic puzzles. While it’s tempting to peek at shared solutions online, the real joy comes from tackling the challenges yourself.

Why This Series?

This series isn’t about flaunting polished, perfect solutions. Instead, I would like to share my personal journey, complete with all its imperfections. I’ll take you through the thought processes, mistakes, and problem-solving strategies I use to arrive at a solution.

Programming isn’t just about getting things right; it’s also about handling errors, refining your approach, and learning from the process. Along the way, I’ll explore opportunities for refactoring, performance tuning, and writing proper unit tests to solidify the solutions.

A New Challenge: Solving in Go

To add an extra layer of excitement, I’ve decided to tackle these puzzles using a language I’m still exploring: Go (Golang). Its simple and minimal syntax makes it a great choice for beginners and seasoned developers alike. Even if you’re unfamiliar with Go, you’ll find it easy to follow along and pick up some tips.

What to Expect

Here’s what you’ll get from this series:

1. Daily Challenges: Step-by-step walkthroughs of each Advent of Code puzzle.

2. Behind the Scenes: My thought process, from understanding the problem to testing solutions.

3. Mistakes and Learning: Real-world examples of debugging and refining code.

4. Refactoring and Testing: Clean, optimized code with proper unit tests.

5. Go Insights: Learn Go basics as we solve each puzzle together.

Join the Adventure!

Whether you’re an experienced developer or just starting out, this series has something for everyone. Together, we’ll unravel these puzzles, learn from mistakes, and grow as problem solvers. Ready to start? Let’s dive into the first challenge!