Advent of Code 2024

This repository is my personal take on solving the Advent of Code riddles. AoC is a fun coding challenge held every December, where each day brings a new puzzle to solve. I enjoy the mix of algorithmic thinking and creative solutions it requires, so I built this setup to make working on the puzzles as smooth as possible.

About This Repository

The code is structured to be modular and reusable, so I can quickly adapt to each day’s puzzle without repeating boilerplate. While I keep things clean and organized, I don’t go overboard with features like full error handling — it’s all about solving the puzzles and having fun.

How to Run

• Open the project in Visual Studio (configured for VS19 with C++17).
• Place the input data for the specific day in dayXX/inputXX.txt.
• Build the solution and run the executable.

How I Approach the Puzzles

Each puzzle is different, but the general workflow is:

• Parse the input data (often messy and challenging).
• Break down the problem into smaller parts.
• Use whatever algorithms or tricks fit best — sorting, searching, dynamic programming, or sometimes just brute force if it’s good enough.

I prioritize readability and maintainability, but I also enjoy squeezing out optimizations when needed.

Project Structure

The repository is organized by day:

• dayXX folders: Contain the code and input files for each puzzle.
• solvedPuzzles.h: Keeps track of which days are implemented.
• main.cpp: Runs all the solved puzzles.

Adding a New Day

1. Create a new folder for the day (dayXX).
2. Write your solution in CDayXX.h and CDayXX.cpp.
3. Add the header to solvedPuzzles.h.
4. Push it to the puzzles list in main.cpp.

That’s it! The setup takes care of the rest.

Why I’m Doing This

I love coding challenges because they keep my skills sharp and let me play with algorithms in a creative way. Advent of Code is also a great tradition, and this repository is my way of capturing that journey.