About This Course

The Programming with Puzzles course offers a unique and engaging learning experience developed by MIT for individuals who want to strengthen their algorithmic thinking and problem-solving skills. The course teaches programming not merely as a technical skill, but also as a creative thinking practice. Each lesson begins with an intriguing puzzle that encourages students to perform logical analysis and explore various solution strategies.

The process of solving each puzzle leads to an “Eureka!” moment—whether through a search algorithm, an appropriate data structure, or a mathematical insight—and this solution then forms the foundation of the code to be implemented. Through this approach, students understand the structure of the problem before being overwhelmed by the details of a programming language. Elements of Python syntax and constructs are introduced only when necessary, making the learning process more natural and focused.

Throughout the course, students work through a total of 11 puzzles of varying difficulty levels. The corresponding solution strategies and sample code are accessible through the course website. In this respect, Programming with Puzzlesis an ideal starting point not only for learning to code, but for learning how to think.

Prerequisites

There are no formal prerequisites. Students are only expected to have a basic understanding of fundamental programming concepts.

Instructor

Prof. Srini Devadas is a distinguished faculty member in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). For many years, Devadas has served as both an educator and a researcher at MIT, contributing significantly to fields such as hardware security, cryptography, computer systems, and integrated circuit design.

Beyond his academic achievements, he is highly influential in education. Devadas has taught numerous foundational computer science courses over the years, including the highly popular “Programming with Puzzles” course. His ability to distill complex concepts and teach through intuitive, pedagogically sound approaches sets him apart as both a technical expert and an outstanding educator.

His work at MIT is recognized and appreciated by both the research and education communities. The course materials and teaching style he has developed continue to inspire students around the world.