CodeForces2PDF

A professional tool for competitive programmers that converts Codeforces problems into elegantly formatted PDF documents, preserving original styling while enhancing readability.

Overview

CodeForces2PDF bridges the gap between online problem statements and offline study materials. Whether you're preparing for a competition, teaching algorithms, or simply enjoy solving problems away from your computer, this tool creates publication-quality PDFs that maintain the essence of the original problems.

Key Features

• Intuitive Web Interface: Thoughtfully designed with both novice and experienced users in mind
• Flexible Input Options: Work your way - enter contest and problem IDs or simply paste a URL
• True-to-Original Styling: Carefully crafted PDFs that respect Codeforces' layout and formatting
• Mathematical Precision: Properly rendered LaTeX formulas that preserve mathematical notation
• Difficulty Indicators: Visual cues that help you gauge problem complexity at a glance
• Performance Focused: Optimized for speed without sacrificing quality

System Requirements

• Python 3.9 or newer
• Core dependencies (automatically installed):
  • Flask: Powers the responsive web interface
  • WeasyPrint: Handles the PDF conversion process
  • BeautifulSoup4: Manages HTML parsing with precision
  • httpx: Provides improved HTTP client capabilities
• Optional enhancements:
  • tex2svg: Improves formula rendering in default and graphics modes
  • make4ht: Enables faster rendering when speed is prioritized

Getting Started

Installation

1. Clone the repository to your local environment

   git clone https://github.com/yourusername/codeforces2pdf.git
   cd codeforces2pdf

2. Install required dependencies

   pip install -r requirements.txt

Using the Web Interface

1. Launch the application server

   python main.py

2. Navigate to http://localhost:5000 in your preferred browser

3. Choose your preferred input method:

   • Enter the Contest ID and Problem letter separately
   • Paste a complete Codeforces problem URL
   • Preview your selection before committing to download

Command Line Usage

For those who prefer terminal-based workflows:

python codeforces_to_pdf.py [options] <contest_id> <problem>

Available options:

• -d, --dir: Specify a custom output directory
• -f, --fast: Prioritize speed over formula rendering quality
• -g, --graphics: Generate high-quality SVG graphics for mathematical expressions

Example workflows:

# Download the classic "Watermelon" problem (4A)
python codeforces_to_pdf.py 4 A

# Quickly generate a PDF for problem C from contest 1000
python codeforces_to_pdf.py -f 1000 C

# Save a problem to a specific directory for your archives
python codeforces_to_pdf.py -d ./competition_prep 1234 B

Recent Enhancements

We've made significant improvements based on user feedback:

• Intelligent URL Processing: The system now automatically extracts relevant details from pasted URLs
• Refined Visual Styling: Closer alignment with Codeforces' presentation, particularly for examples and code blocks
• Typography Improvements: Enhanced readability for both code and mathematical expressions
• Example Presentation: Better delineation of sample inputs and outputs for clearer understanding
• Processing Efficiency: Streamlined operations for faster problem retrieval and conversion

PDF Design Philosophy

Each generated PDF follows careful design principles:

• Typography: Selected fonts that balance readability with professional appearance
• Layout: Thoughtful spacing that reduces eye strain during extended reading
• Emphasis: Appropriate highlighting for important elements like constraints and specifications
• Consistency: Uniform presentation of similar elements across different problems
• Accessibility: High contrast and clear structure to improve readability

Community and Use Cases

CodeForces2PDF serves diverse needs within the competitive programming community:

• Individual Competitors: Practice offline without distractions or internet connectivity
• Educators: Create printed problem sets for classroom exercises and examinations
• Study Groups: Compile collections of thematically related problems for focused practice
• Algorithm Enthusiasts: Build personalized archives of interesting problems for reference

Contributing

Your expertise can help make this tool even better. We welcome contributions of all kinds:

1. Fork the repository to your GitHub account
2. Create a focused feature branch (git checkout -b feature/new-capability)
3. Implement your improvement with appropriate documentation
4. Submit a well-described pull request for review

License

This project is available under the MIT License, allowing for both personal and commercial use with proper attribution.

Acknowledgments

• Original concept inspired by @AliOsm | AliOsm/codeforces2pdf
• Built with appreciation for the competitive programming community and Codeforces platform