Google Code Jam Africa

The Google Code Jam is one of the best avenues for understanding the real concept of Computer Science, particularly Data Structures and Algorithm. It is an international programming competition hosted and administered by Google.

Contestants get the opportunity to solve a set of algorithmic problems similar to real life programming challenges thus improving their problem solving methodology.

However, this opportunity is not utilized in Nigeria and Africa in general. In Google Code Jam 2009 there were only 4 Nigerian participants; but I believe there are lot of competent CS students and programmers that would perform wonderfully.

Today Google announced the Google Code Jam Africa where coders around the continent would test their skills, win prizes and increase their chances of doing an internship with Google. This is a very good opportunity that should not be missed.

In the competition, any programming language can be used; everyone has a good reason to participate therefore.

You can start practicing from previous Google Code Jams to get the feel of what it's all about. TopCoder's tutorial on algorithm is also a very good resource to get you equipped.

Read more from the Google Africa Blog.