Advent of Code 2021 or Why Did Memgraph Engineers and CEO Wake Up at 5 AM to Solve Coding Puzzles?

Advent of Code is an annual programming challenge that captivates tens of thousands of software engineers, including a team of eight from Memgraph, who participated in the 2021 edition to hone their coding skills and enjoy the camaraderie of competition. These engineers, driven by a desire to challenge themselves and learn, often woke up as early as 5 or 6 AM to tackle the puzzles before starting their workday, sharing hints and discussing solutions in a dedicated Slack channel. While some participants experimented with languages like Rust and Go, Python was the most popular choice due to its familiarity, and the storyline-rich puzzles varied in complexity, with puzzles 18 and 19 being particularly memorable for their intricate problem-solving requirements. Beyond the competition, the experience fostered strong bonds among colleagues, with engineers reviewing each other's code and engaging in lively discussions, while also connecting with a broader community on platforms like Reddit. The event underscored the excitement of coding and the joy of collaboration, emphasizing both the individual and collective benefits of such programming contests.