Using coding katas to improve skills

Coding katas have emerged as a core practice for many developers seeking to refine their technical skills, enhance problem-solving abilities, and foster a deeper understanding of programming principles. Originally inspired by martial arts, where practitioners repeat movements to perfection, katas in the programming world are structured exercises performed regularly. They offer a safe and focused environment to experiment, make mistakes, and learn. This practice is especially valuable in today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape, where continuous learning is a necessity for everyone—from early-career developers to seasoned engineers, and for those whose neurodivergence shapes their learning journey in unique ways.

What Are Coding Katas?

Coding katas are short, repeatable exercises designed to help programmers improve their coding proficiency through deliberate practice. Much like a musician practices scales or an athlete drills fundamental movements, developers use katas to internalize patterns, syntax, and problem-solving strategies. The goal is not just to solve a problem, but to focus on process, clarity, and mastery.

These exercises can be as simple as reversing a string or as complex as simulating a traffic system. Over time, performing katas helps you build muscle memory, develop an intuitive sense for code structure, and uncover new ways to approach familiar challenges.

“Repetition is not a lack of creativity. It is the foundation on which creativity is built.”

Why Are Coding Katas Effective?

The effectiveness of coding katas lies in their intentional repetition and focus. Each iteration allows you to:

• Experiment safely: There’s no pressure to deliver a production-ready solution. Mistakes are expected and even encouraged, because they offer valuable learning moments.
• Isolate concepts: By controlling variables and focusing on one aspect at a time, you can deepen your understanding. For example, you might write the same kata in several programming languages or try multiple design patterns.
• Track progress: As you revisit the same kata over weeks or months, you’ll notice your approach evolving. What once took an hour may take minutes, and your code will grow more elegant and expressive.

The Structure of a Good Kata

Though katas can be designed in countless ways, their effectiveness increases when they follow a clear structure:

1. Problem Statement: The kata should have a well-defined goal, such as “Implement a function to check if a string is a palindrome.”
2. Constraints and Variations: Sometimes, adding constraints (e.g., “Do not use built-in reverse functions”) or trying different approaches pushes you to think creatively.
3. Repetition and Reflection: After solving the problem, reflect on the process. Ask yourself: Was your solution efficient? Readable? Could it be improved?

Some katas are meant to be solved in pairs or groups, allowing for collaborative learning and knowledge sharing. For neurodivergent learners, the predictable structure of katas can offer a sense of stability and reduce anxiety, making them a particularly inclusive practice.

Actionable Examples: Katas for Every Level

The beauty of coding katas is their adaptability. They can be tailored for novices, advanced practitioners, or even multidisciplinary teams. Here are a few examples:

Beginner: FizzBuzz

Write a program that prints the numbers from 1 to 100. For multiples of three, print “Fizz” instead of the number, and for multiples of five, print “Buzz”. For numbers that are multiples of both three and five, print “FizzBuzz”.

Why it works: This kata is a classic for a reason. It reinforces loops, conditionals, and basic logic. Try implementing it in several languages or with different data structures.

Intermediate: Anagrams

Create a function that determines if two strings are anagrams of each other. For instance, “listen” and “silent” are anagrams.

Why it works: This exercise introduces algorithmic thinking, manipulation of data structures, and edge case handling.

Advanced: Bowling Game Scoring

Implement a program to calculate the score of a bowling game, given a sequence of rolls.

Why it works: This kata is excellent for practicing object-oriented design, test-driven development, and handling complex rules.

“A kata’s simplicity is deceptive. Complexity emerges through repetition and exploration.”

Tips for Making the Most of Coding Katas

• Practice regularly: Integrate katas into your weekly routine. Even 20 minutes a day can yield significant benefits over time.
• Embrace test-driven development (TDD): Write tests before you write code. This approach not only clarifies requirements but also instills good habits that transfer to real-world projects.
• Reflect and refactor: Don’t stop after your first solution. Refactor your code for readability, efficiency, and elegance. Reflection is where deep learning happens.
• Share and discuss: Present your solutions to peers, or participate in online kata communities. Feedback exposes you to new ideas and helps you grow.
• Document your journey: Keep notes or a journal of your kata practice. Tracking your growth can be deeply motivating, especially for neurodivergent learners who benefit from visible progress markers.

Katas in Professional Development and Team Culture

Beyond individual improvement, katas are powerful tools for teams. Organizations that include regular kata sessions in their workflow often see benefits such as:

• Stronger collaboration: Pairing on katas encourages team members to communicate about code, share perspectives, and learn from each other.
• Innovation and creativity: The low-stakes environment of a kata makes it safe to try new approaches, fostering innovation that can spill over into production work.
• Onboarding and mentorship: New team members can ramp up faster by working through katas with mentors, gaining insight into best practices and company standards.

For teams with neurodivergent members or diverse learning styles, katas can be a democratizing force. The structure and repetition may provide comfort, while the open-endedness allows for creative exploration in a psychologically safe space.

Women in Tech: Leveraging Katas for Confidence and Community

Women are still underrepresented in many technical fields, often facing unique barriers related to confidence, visibility, and support. Coding katas can help address some of these challenges by:

• Building confidence: Safe, repeatable exercises allow women to practice without fear of judgment, gradually increasing technical self-assurance.
• Creating communities: Group kata sessions become spaces for mentorship, networking, and sharing experiences.
• Highlighting expertise: Regular practice and public sharing of solutions can help women showcase their skills, both within organizations and in the wider tech community.

“Skill is not innate. It is nurtured, with patience, through small, persistent acts of practice.”

Katas for Neurodivergent Learners

Neurodiversity—encompassing ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other cognitive variations—brings valuable diversity of thought to technology. However, neurodivergent individuals may face challenges in traditional learning environments, such as sensory overload, social anxiety, or difficulties with unstructured tasks.

Coding katas can be tailored to support neurodivergent learners by:

• Providing structure: The predictable format of katas can reduce anxiety and help learners focus on one task at a time.
• Allowing self-pacing: Katas can be repeated as many times as needed, without external pressure.
• Encouraging multisensory learning: Visual aids, code visualization tools, and hands-on coding can complement textual instructions.
• Making progress visible: Tracking completed katas and noting improvements gives a sense of accomplishment.

Inclusive educational practices, such as offering multiple ways to engage with katas and celebrating diverse approaches to problem-solving, can help neurodivergent learners thrive.

Integrating Katas into Your Learning and Career Strategy

Whether you’re a self-taught developer, a student in a formal program, or a professional seeking to stay sharp, integrating katas into your ongoing education is a practical way to keep learning fresh and relevant. Here’s how to get started:

1. Set clear goals: Decide what you want to achieve with your kata practice: improving fluency in a new language, mastering algorithms, or preparing for technical interviews.
2. Choose appropriate katas: Select exercises that challenge you just enough to stretch your abilities without overwhelming you.
3. Schedule regular sessions: Consistency is key. Block out time in your calendar and treat kata practice as a non-negotiable part of your development.
4. Seek feedback: Don’t be afraid to ask for input from peers, mentors, or online communities.

Resources to Get Started

There are numerous platforms offering curated kata exercises for all skill levels. Some popular resources include:

• Codewars: Offers a vast library of user-submitted katas in various languages, with community discussion and ranking.
• Codingame: Gamifies katas with fun challenges and multiplayer competitions.
• LeetCode: Well known for interview-style katas and algorithmic exercises.
• Exercism: Provides mentoring alongside kata-style exercises in dozens of languages.

You can also create your own kata library using problems you find interesting, or by adapting real-world tasks you encounter on the job.

Embracing the Journey of Continuous Improvement

Coding katas embody the spirit of lifelong learning in technology. They offer a gentle, structured, and creative path to mastery—one that welcomes experimentation, celebrates diversity of thought, and values progress over perfection. For women in tech, neurodivergent learners, and anyone passionate about building a resilient and inclusive skillset, katas are more than just practice. They are acts of self-discovery, growth, and community.

Whether you’re starting your coding journey or looking to push your expertise to new heights, embrace the ritual of the kata. In those quiet moments of repetition and reflection, you are not just writing code—you are shaping your future in technology, one thoughtful step at a time.