Workshop 3 focuses on the critical role of test cases and effective debugging strategies to ensure correct and efficient solutions under competition conditions.

01.  Think Like a Computer

Before you let the compiler do the work, simulate your code mentally. By stepping through your logic line by line, you’ll start to see how a computer interprets your instructions and where things might go wrong. This mindset is key to writing more precise, error-free code.

02.  Master the Art of Dry Running

Dry running means manually tracing your code with sample inputs, keeping track of how variables evolve and conditions execute. This process helps reveal flaws in logic, incorrect loops, and other silent bugs that can otherwise cost you precious time during contests.

03.  Spot the Sneaky Edge Cases

Edge cases are the tricky scenarios that break otherwise working code — like empty inputs, maximum constraints, or negative values. Learning how to anticipate them by asking, “What could go wrong here?” will make your solutions more robust and competition-ready.

04.  Debug Smarter, Submit Sharper

Instead of relying solely on output, adopt a habit of strategic debugging. Dry run, test edge cases, and refine your logic until it holds strong under all conditions. This not only boosts accuracy but saves valuable time during high-pressure submissions.