Code Golf: How Short Can You Make Your Code?

a game where you compete to write the shortest code possible.

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Programming is all about solving problems, right? But what if I told you there is a game where the goal isn’t just to solve the problem — but to solve it with the shortest code possible? That’s what Code Golf is all about!

If you have never heard of Code Golf, don’t worry — you are in for a fun ride. In this story, I’ll explain what it is, why people love it ,and how you can get started.

What Is Code Golf, Anyway?

Code Golf is just like regular golf — but it is for programmers. The aim is to write or solve a coding challenge in the fewest characters (lines are for losers). Think of it as a puzzle in which keystrokes also matter.

For example, if the task is to write a reverse string, a beginner might write a long, descriptive function. A code golfer? They’ll write in one line and still get it done.

Comparison:

Regular Coder:

def reverse_string(s): 
 return s[::-1] 
print(reverse_string(“hello”))

Code Golfer:

print("hello"[::-1])

See how compact that second version is?

Why Bother with Code Golf?