AoC-2022 VS advent-of-code-jq

The challenge did inspire some ideas for new libraries and library functions. Over the course of the month, I created an aoc module with a variety of general utility functions that may make their way into the standard Mini Micro library; as well as a search module, which will probably end up as its own repo.

I've now created such a library, and redid last night's challenge using it.

I'm using the list.combinations method (in my AoC module) to find all the different ways we can form setA (my valves) by taking n of the goodValves. Then, we find setB (the elephant's set) by simply removing each of mine from a copy of the full set.

Oh, but I promised some pretty graphics, didn't I? Since I'm doing all this in Mini Micro, those are easy to add (you can see the code here). The GIF at the top of this post shows the movement of the rope for the Part B example. And here's the start of its motion for my real input file... though the full input makes it wander much longer, and much further from the origin. Enjoy!

Once again, my starter program did me no good; nor did I need any of the stuff I've been gathering in my custom aoc module, or even the standard /sys/lib modules. The solution was plain, unadorned MiniScript. ❤️

By this point I have a starter program which reads an input file line by line, has a place to calculate a result for each line, and then does some kind of summary of the results. I didn't need all that for this program, so I cut some stuff out, and (under time pressure) ignored other bits. But with a little more cleaning up, my solution boils down to this:

Given the libraries I had, I don't see how. However, I may add some new tricks to my aoc module. Maybe I should have a "select" method that grabs a subset of a sequence (string or list) given a list of indexes. I could use this on each line to convert the raw input, like [Z] [M] [P], into just the letters, like ZMP (by doing line = line.select(range(1, line.len, 4))). Then I'd have a list of strings like:

If you want to join me, please do! I'm posting all the code on GitHub, including my little lib/aoc module. I encourage you to join us on Discord too, where we can strategize and commiserate. See you there!

If you just want a series of programming puzzles, check out the Advent of Code[1]

[1] https://adventofcode.com/

This goes against Agile, against what many have only known. You can try it, and see what happens. Try a challenge from AdventOfCode, spend a couple of days working up a plan first. Did you write a cleaner solution? Now extrapolate.

I have used BFS only sporadically to solve problems at work. DFS was usually a simpler or better choice. BFS is, however, an essential tool for Advent of Code puzzles - each year, BFS is sufficient to solve at least a few puzzles. BFS is also a very common algorithm for coding interviews.

I'm staring to be a huge fan of the Advent of Code challenge every beginning of December. Everyday puzzle is a great excuse to talk to people of your company that probably you don't interact much otherwise. And /r/adventofcode subreddit fan-arts and community is fun to follow. I always entered after completing the daily challenge, otherwise it may be a huge spoil :D

Advent of Code (https://adventofcode.com/)

It's not a programming course per-se, but it's a great resource to master the skill of coding and problem solving.

It's just one part though, it won't teach you anything about architecturing a bigger system.

For anyone currently looking for something that does this for you, may I suggest Advent of Code: https://adventofcode.com/ This is the first year I've really had time and space to enjoy it, and enjoy it I have.

Also - this article ends on such a weird note given the message that the rest of it delivers. The author has finally realized how valuable it is to have something that gets them going, regardless of whether or not it ends up being "useful", but then immediately stumbles over the fear of it not lasting and failing to achieve greatness in it and sharply concludes with that sentiment.

Perseverance through intermediate-ness into greatness is irrelevant to enjoyment.

Hanukkah of Data is a series of data-themed puzzles, where you solve puzzles to move your way through a holiday-themed story using a fictional dataset. I think of it as "Advent of Code meets SQL Murder Mystery".

This journey will transform you and challenge your creative and resourceful thinking. You will explore new possibilities with VIM, going beyond what you thought it could do. And as you advance through the Advent Of Code puzzles, you will truly transform yourself if you follow the two scenarios listed below.

I've been making a CLI for advent of code ( https://adventofcode.com/ ) this week: https://github.com/VitamintK/wang-aoc-cli

It's been satisfying!

December started 12 days ago, and for my first year I decided to try the Advent of Code 2023, which is basically 1 programming problem everyday and they get harder and harder each day. I started HARD, I ate problems, day by day, until... day 10; things started getting pretty hard and couldn't do - I think - pretty average difficulty problems.