DEV Community: Mahmudul Haque Shawon

🚀 The Journey from Writing “Hello, World!” to Solving Codeforces Problems

Mahmudul Haque Shawon — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 19:15:00 +0000

By Mahmudul Haque Shawon

Every programmer’s journey begins with a single line of code.
For me, it started with something as simple as:

print("Hello, World!")
I still remember the excitement of seeing that message on my screen — as if I had just unlocked a secret language. Back then, I didn’t know where this curiosity would take me. Today, I’m actively solving competitive programming problems on Codeforces, and it has been an incredible learning journey.

Let me take you through it — the ups, the challenges, the breakthroughs, and what keeps me going.

🧒 Step 1: The First Line of Code
I started coding with Python. It was beginner-friendly, easy to read, and powerful enough to build anything from simple scripts to AI models. As I explored basic concepts like variables, loops, and functions, I realized programming wasn’t just about syntax — it was about problem-solving.

The curiosity grew stronger. I wasn’t satisfied with just building things — I wanted to challenge my logic and improve my thinking.

🧩 Step 2: Introduction to Competitive Programming
That’s when I discovered platforms like Codeforces.

At first, it was intimidating. The problems were tricky, time-limited, and required a different mindset. But I took it step-by-step:

Solved easy-level problems to understand the format
Learned common data structures and algorithms
Practiced daily to improve my speed and logic

It was tough in the beginning, but I treated every problem like a puzzle. Some days I solved 3–4 questions; other days, even one question felt like a victory.

🧠 Step 3: Leveling Up My Skills
To compete seriously on Codeforces, I had to move beyond the basics.

Here’s what helped me improve:

Mastering Algorithms like binary search, two pointers, greedy, and recursion

Learning C++ and its STL, since many top competitors use it for speed

Watching editorials and reading other users’ solutions after contests

Participating in live contests, even if I couldn’t solve much — just to build experience

I also balanced this with my web development skills — working with Django, DRF, and AI/ML. But competitive programming trained my brain to think fast, code clean, and debug under pressure.

🧗‍♂️ Step 4: Facing Struggles (and Not Giving Up)
Let’s be real: there were frustrating days.

Problems that felt impossible

Time limits that made my code fail

Ratings that went down even after preparing hard

But I’ve learned that consistency is more powerful than perfection. I focused on one thing — showing up every day and trying to improve, even a little.

🌟 Step 5: My Current Focus
Right now, I’m rated as a newbie on Codeforces under the username PythonicShawon, but I’m actively solving problems and aiming to rise through the ranks. My goal is to hit Specialist and eventually go beyond that.

Alongside CP, I’m working on:

Building real-world web apps with Django

Exploring AI and Machine Learning projects

Teaching and sharing what I learn through my YouTube channel

💡 Lessons I’ve Learned
Start small — even “Hello, World!” is a step forward

Stay consistent — it’s not about solving fast, it’s about solving regularly

Fail forward — every WA (wrong answer) teaches you something

Balance practice — combine theory, coding, and building real things

🙌 To Beginners Like Me...
If you're just starting out and feel overwhelmed — don’t worry.

I started from zero. And I'm still learning. If I can make it this far, you can too.

Whether you’re into AI, web development, or CP, just keep coding, keep learning, and never stop challenging yourself.

What was your “Hello, World!” moment? Are you into competitive programming too? Let me know in the comments!

— Mahmudul Haque Shawon
PythonicShawon
Programmer | Python & Django Enthusiast | AI Learner
Protfolio website : https://mahmudulhaqueshawon.onrender.com/

🎉 Just Launched My Developer Portfolio Website!

Mahmudul Haque Shawon — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 19:25:39 +0000

Hey devs! 👋

I’m excited to share that I’ve just completed and deployed my personal portfolio website! 🚀
You can check it out here 👉 mahmudulhaqueshawon.onrender.com

💻 Tech Stack Used:
Django – Backend framework to handle routing and dynamic content
HTML & CSS – Core structure and styling
Tailwind CSS – For fast and modern UI styling
JavaScript – For interactive components

📌 What's Inside:
About Me Section 🧑‍💻
Projects Showcase 🛠️
Skills & Technologies 💡
Contact Form 📬

🔧 Why I Built It
As a passionate developer, I wanted a clean, responsive, and professional way to showcase my work, skills, and passion for coding. I chose Django because I'm comfortable with Python and wanted something dynamic and scalable.

✨ What's Next
I plan to keep improving it by:
Adding a blog section
Integrating animations for better UX
Possibly using Django Rest Framework for a headless version in the future

💬 Feedback Welcome!
I'd love to hear your thoughts, suggestions, or constructive feedback. Feel free to drop a comment or connect with me.

Thanks for reading! 🙌
— Mahmudul Haque Shawon

Why C Should Be the First Programming Language You Learn By Mahmudul Haque Shawon

Mahmudul Haque Shawon — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 18:54:05 +0000

By Mahmudul Haque Shawon

In the world of programming, choosing your first language can shape the way you think about software, problem-solving, and computer systems. While there are many beginner-friendly languages like Python or JavaScript, many experienced developers — including myself, Mahmudul Haque Shawon — believe that C should be the first programming language you learn. But why?

Let’s explore the reasons why C holds such an important place in the world of programming and why it's an excellent starting point for beginners.

Understanding How Computers Work C is a low-level programming language, which means it gives you direct access to memory and hardware-level operations. This helps you understand how things work behind the scenes — how data is stored, how memory is allocated, and how CPU instructions are carried out. Learning C builds a strong foundation in computer science fundamentals like:

1.Pointers and memory management
2.Data structures and algorithms
3.Compilation and linking process

How the operating system interacts with your code

As Mahmudul Haque Shawon, a programming educator and enthusiast, I always recommend C to my students for these exact reasons.

Builds a Strong Programming Mindset Unlike some beginner-friendly languages that do a lot for you automatically, C forces you to think deeply about what your code is doing. There is no garbage collection, no built-in list objects — you have to manually manage memory and structure your programs carefully.

This might sound hard at first, but it trains you to write efficient, clean, and optimized code. As someone who teaches and works in this field, I — Mahmudul Haque Shawon — can confirm that this mindset is invaluable for long-term success.

C Is the Mother of Many Languages Languages like C++, Java, C#, Objective-C, and even Python and JavaScript borrow many of their core concepts and syntax from C. Once you learn C, transitioning to these modern languages becomes much easier.

In fact, knowing C gives you the ability to understand how these other languages work internally. It’s like learning Latin before learning other Romance languages — something I emphasize frequently on my channel and in my lessons as Mahmudul Haque Shawon.

Used in System Programming and Embedded Systems C is still widely used today in system-level programming like:

1.Operating systems (e.g., UNIX, Linux)
2.Device drivers
3.Embedded systems (IoT, robotics)
4.Game engines
5.Compilers

If you ever want to become a systems programmer or work closely with hardware, knowing C is essential — a point I always highlight in my tutorials as Mahmudul Haque Shawon.

Portability and Speed C is known for its speed and efficiency. Programs written in C are fast and lightweight, which is why it's used in performance-critical areas like embedded devices and gaming.

C is also highly portable, meaning code written in C can run on different types of computers with very little change. This cross-platform compatibility makes C valuable in professional software development.

Rich History and Community Support C has been around since the early 1970s and has stood the test of time. It has a huge amount of documentation, tutorials, books, and an active global community. As a beginner, you’ll never feel alone in your journey of learning C.

Final Thoughts
While it might not be as simple or beginner-friendly as Python, learning C first gives you a deeper, more complete understanding of how computers and programming really work. It teaches you the hard truths early, making you a better problem solver and a more efficient developer in the long run.

As Mahmudul Haque Shawon, I encourage every beginner to consider starting with C to build a strong programming foundation. C isn’t just a language — it’s a teacher. And for many aspiring programmers, it’s the best place to start.

Problem Solving Doesn’t Take a Break — Even on Eid-ul-Azha 2025

Mahmudul Haque Shawon — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 18:38:54 +0000

Hi dev.to community! I’m Mahmudul Haque Shawon from Kushtia, Bangladesh, and I want to share a little about how I balance celebrations and coding challenges.

Eid-ul-Azha is a special time for family and festivities, but for me, it’s also a reminder to keep consistent with my passion: competitive programming on Codeforces.

So far, I’ve solved 126 problems and maintained streaks up to 15 days in a row! My current rating is 779, and every problem I solve is a step forward in my journey.

This Eid, while enjoying the festivities, I kept solving problems because growth doesn’t pause on holidays. If you’re serious about improving your coding skills, consistency matters the most — even when the world around you celebrates.

Wishing you all a joyful Eid and happy coding! 💻✨

competitiveprogramming #codeforces #eid2025 #codingjourney #growthmindset

🌍 Hello World in 20+ Programming Languages — A Global Coding Journey

Mahmudul Haque Shawon — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 18:49:30 +0000

🚀 I just uploaded a new video on YouTube where I demonstrate how to print "Hello, World!" in over 20 programming languages! This video is a tribute to the tradition of every programmer’s first step into a new language — the humble Hello World.

📺 Watch the video here:
👉 https://youtu.be/lOc1cKaTAgI

✅ What’s inside:
Simple and clean syntax examples

Covers languages like:
Python, C, C++, Java, JavaScript, TypeScript, Ruby, Go, Rust, PHP, Swift, Kotlin, Scala, Dart, R, Perl, Julia, Shell, Haskell, Lua, Elixir, C# and more.

Great for beginners and those curious about language syntax differences!

👨‍💻 Created by: Mahmudul Haque Shawon
If you're learning programming or love multilingual development, this is a fun way to explore how different languages express the same idea.

📢 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more content related to Python, programming tutorials, and developer tips.

HelloWorld #ProgrammingLanguages #MultilingualCoding #PythonLover #MahmudulHaqueShawon #CodeIn20Languages #SoftwareDevelopment #LearnToCode #ProgrammingForBeginners #CodeComparison

Building Learner’s Pointer: A Smart Learning Platform for Diploma Students

Mahmudul Haque Shawon — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 15:28:02 +0000

Hey everyone! 👋

Me and my friends — Abir, Siam, Rajib, Omair, and I (Mahmudul Haque Shawon) — are cooking up something exciting called Learner’s Pointer. It’s a platform designed specifically for Diploma in Engineering students to get better learning resources and connect with teachers and mentors.

Right now, I’m handling the backend with Django, building some cool features like:

Device-based login restriction — so a student can only be logged in on one device at a time. This helps keep things fair and prevents account sharing.

If someone logs in from another device, the previous session gets logged out automatically.

Secure password resets and soon, two-factor authentication!

Meanwhile, my buddy Abir is crafting the frontend using HTML and Tailwind CSS, making sure everything looks slick and works smoothly.

Our other friends — Siam, Rajib, and Omair — are helping with content, testing, and planning new features.

Our goal? To build a safe, easy-to-use space where diploma students can learn, share, and grow without distractions.

Stay tuned! More updates coming soon 🚀