Reasoning-Coding Master: A Complete Guide to LLM Reasoning & Code Generation

Introduction

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to effectively prompt large language models (LLMs) for reasoning and code generation tasks. It covers everything from basic prompting techniques to advanced strategies for complex problem-solving.

Core Principles

1. Chain of Thought (CoT) Prompting

Chain of Thought prompting encourages the model to break down complex problems into intermediate steps, showing its reasoning process.

Basic Format:

Let's think step by step.
[Problem statement]

Example:

Let's think step by step.
If a train travels 120 miles in 2 hours, and then 180 miles in 3 hours, what is its average speed for the entire journey?

2. Zero-Shot CoT

Zero-shot CoT uses a simple trigger phrase to activate step-by-step reasoning without providing examples.

Trigger Phrases:

• “Let’s think step by step.”
• “Let’s break this down.”
• “Let’s solve this systematically.”

3. Few-Shot CoT

Few-shot CoT provides examples of the reasoning process before presenting the actual problem.

Format:

Example 1:
Q: [Question]
A: Let's think step by step. [Step 1], [Step 2], [Step 3]. Therefore, [Answer].

Example 2:
Q: [Question]
A: Let's think step by step. [Step 1], [Step 2], [Step 3]. Therefore, [Answer].

Now solve:
Q: [Your question]
A: Let's think step by step.

Advanced Reasoning Techniques

1. Self-Consistency

Instead of taking the first answer, generate multiple reasoning paths and choose the most consistent answer.

Implementation:

1. Ask the model to solve the problem multiple times
2. Each time, use a slightly different phrasing or approach
3. Select the answer that appears most frequently

2. Tree of Thoughts (ToT)

Tree of Thoughts explores multiple reasoning paths simultaneously, evaluating and pruning branches as needed.

Structure:

Step 1: Generate 3-5 initial thoughts
Step 2: Evaluate each thought
Step 3: Expand the most promising thoughts
Step 4: Continue until solution is found

3. Reflexion

Reflexion adds a feedback loop where the model reflects on its previous attempts and improves.

Process:

1. Initial attempt
2. Self-evaluation: “What went wrong?”
3. Refined attempt based on feedback
4. Repeat until correct

Code Generation Strategies

1. Natural Language to Code

Best Practices:

• Start with clear problem description
• Specify input/output formats
• Mention constraints and edge cases
• Ask for explanation of the approach

Template:

Write a function that [function description].
Input: [describe input format]
Output: [describe expected output]
Constraints: [list constraints]
Please explain your approach before coding.

2. Code Explanation and Debugging

For Code Explanation:

Explain this code step by step:
[code block]
Focus on: [specific aspects]

For Debugging:

This code has an error:
[code block]
Error: [error message]
Let's debug this step by step.

3. Code Refactoring

Prompt Structure:

Refactor this code to improve [aspect]:
[code block]
Requirements:
- [requirement 1]
- [requirement 2]
- [requirement 3]

Complex Problem Solving

1. Multi-Step Problems

For problems requiring multiple steps:

Let's solve this systematically:
Step 1: [First sub-problem]
Step 2: [Second sub-problem]
...
Step N: [Final step]

For each step, show your work and explain your reasoning.

2. Algorithm Design

When designing algorithms:

Design an algorithm for [problem].
Requirements:
1. Time complexity should be [O notation]
2. Space complexity should be [O notation]
3. Handle edge cases: [list edge cases]

Approach:
1. First, describe the high-level approach
2. Then provide detailed pseudocode
3. Finally, implement in [language]

3. Mathematical Problem Solving

For mathematical problems:

Solve this mathematical problem:
[problem statement]

Let's approach this:
1. Identify what we need to find
2. List given information
3. Choose appropriate method/formula
4. Show all calculations
5. Verify the answer

Prompt Engineering Techniques

1. Role Assignment

Assign a specific role to the model:

You are an expert [role] with [X] years of experience.
[Problem or task]

Examples:

• “You are an expert Python developer…”
• “You are a senior data scientist…”
• “You are a competitive programming champion…”

2. Context Setting

Provide relevant context:

Context: [background information]
Task: [specific task]
Constraints: [any limitations]

3. Output Format Specification

Specify exact output format:

Format your response as:
1. Analysis: [your analysis]
2. Solution: [step-by-step solution]
3. Code: [code implementation]
4. Verification: [how to test]

Debugging Strategies

1. Rubber Duck Debugging

Have the model explain the code as if teaching someone else:

Explain this code line by line as if teaching a beginner:
[code]
Point out any potential issues or bugs.

2. Test Case Generation

Generate comprehensive test cases:

For this function:
[function code]

Generate test cases covering:
1. Normal cases
2. Edge cases
3. Error cases
4. Performance cases

3. Complexity Analysis

Analyze time and space complexity:

Analyze the time and space complexity of:
[algorithm/code]
Explain your reasoning for each component.

Best Practices Summary

Do:

• ✅ Break complex problems into smaller parts
• ✅ Ask for step-by-step reasoning
• ✅ Specify input/output formats clearly
• ✅ Include constraints and edge cases
• ✅ Request explanations alongside code
• ✅ Use consistent formatting
• ✅ Provide context when needed

Don’t:

• ❌ Ask for complete solutions without showing work
• ❌ Skip edge cases in problem descriptions
• ❌ Use ambiguous language in requirements
• ❌ Forget to specify programming language
• ❌ Rush through complex algorithms

Example Walkthrough

Let’s walk through a complete example:

Problem: “Find the longest increasing subsequence in an array”

Effective Prompt:

You are an expert algorithm designer. Find the longest increasing subsequence in an array.

Problem: Given an array of integers, find the length of the longest strictly increasing subsequence.

Example:
Input: [10, 9, 2, 5, 3, 7, 101, 18]
Output: 4
Explanation: The longest increasing subsequence is [2, 3, 7, 101]

Approach:
1. First, explain the dynamic programming approach
2. Provide detailed pseudocode
3. Implement in Python with comments
4. Analyze time and space complexity
5. Provide test cases

Let's solve this step by step.

This comprehensive approach ensures the model provides a thorough, well-explained solution.

Quick Reference

Remember: The key to effective prompting is clarity, specificity, and providing appropriate context for the task at hand.

ਇੱਕ ਲਾਈਨਰ (20)

1. A→1, B→2 … Z→26 – ਅੱਗੇ/ਪਿੱਛੇ ਛਾਲਾਂ ਲਈ ਉਂਗਲਾਂ ਦੇ ਨੇੜੇ ਰੱਖੋ।
2. A ਦਾ ਉਲਟ Z (1+26=27) – ਮਿਰਰ ਕੋਡਾਂ ਲਈ “27-ਨਿਯਮ” ਵਰਤੋ।
3. ਕਿਸੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਦਾ ਉਲਟ ਮਤਲਬ ਹਰ ਅੱਖਰ ਦੇ ਅੰਕ ਦਾ ਉਲਟ।
4. +1, –1, ×2, ÷2 ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ “ਆਪਰੇਸ਼ਨ ਚੇਨ” ਹਨ।
5. “SENT → +1 ਹਰੇਕ” ਕੋਡ ਵਿੱਚ, SENT = TFOU; Z ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ A ਵੱਲ ਲਪੇਟਣਾ ਯਾਦ ਰੱਖੋ।
6. “GIFT → HJSU” +1, +2, +3, +4 ਪੈਟਰਨ ਹੈ – ਵਧਦੇ ਕਦਮਾਂ ‘ਤੇ ਨਜ਼ਰ ਰੱਖੋ।
7. ਸਵਰ→ਵਿਅੰਜਨ ਸਵੈਪ ਕੋਡ: A↔B, E↔C, I↔D, O↔F, U↔G (ਸੈੱਟਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਪ੍ਰਸਿੱਧ)।
8. ਨੰਬਰ ਕੋਡਿੰਗ: ਆਖਰੀ ਅੱਖਰ ਦਾ ਅਲਫ਼ਾਬੈਟ ਮੁੱਲ ਅੰਕ ਵਜੋਂ ਲਵੋ (CAT → 20)।
9. ਜੇ “A=%, B=@ …” – ਪਹਿਲਾਂ 5-ਚਿੰਨ੍ਹ × 5-ਅੱਖਰ ਗਰਿੱਡ ਬਣਾਓ।
10. ਸ਼ਰਤੀ: “ਜੇ ਪਹਿਲਾ ਅੱਖਰ ਸਵਰ → +2, ਨਹੀਂ ਤਾਂ –1” – ਉਲਟਣ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਲਾਗੂ ਕਰੋ।
11. “SISTER ਨੂੰ 20-10-20-21-6-19 ਵਜੋਂ ਲਿਖਿਆ” – ਸਥਾਨ ਮੁੱਲ 2-ਅੰਕਾਂ ਫਾਰਮੈਟ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹੈ।
12. “ਉਲਟ + ਅੱਗੇ” ਮਿਕਸ ਵਿੱਚ, ਅੱਧਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਖ-ਵੱਖ ਚਲਾਓ (PRACTICE → ECITCAR + EP)।
13. ਮੈਟ੍ਰਿਕਸ ਕੋਡਾਂ ਲਈ, ਕਤਾਰ = (ਸਥਾਨ – 1) ÷ 5; ਕਾਲਮ = ਬਚਿਆ (0→5)।
14. ਅੰਕ-ਅੱਖਰ ਮਿਸ਼ਰਣ ਵਿੱਚ, ਅਜੀਬ ਅੰਕ → 1 ਅੱਖਰ ਛੱਡੋ, ਜੋੜਾ ਅੰਕ → 2 ਅੱਖਰ ਛੱਡੋ।
15. “ਕੋਡ ਮੁੱਲਾਂ ਦਾ ਜੋੜ” ਸਵਾਲ – ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਜੋੜੋ, ਫਿਰ 3/5 ਨਾਲ ਵਿਭਾਜਿਤ ਹੋਣ ਦੀ ਜਾਂਚ ਕਰੋ।
16. ਜੇ ਕੋਡ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਿਰਫ਼ 3 ਚਿੰਨ੍ਹ ਦੁਹਰਾਉਂਦੇ ਹੋਣ, ਤਿਗੁਣਾ ਸ਼ੱਕ ਕਰੋ (A→#, E→#, I→#)।
17. ਆਖਰੀ-ਅੱਖਰ-ਪਹਿਲਾ-ਅੱਖਰ ਲਿੰਕ: ਆਖਰੀ ਅੱਖਰ ਦਾ ਕੋਡ ਅਗਲੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਦਾ ਪਹਿਲਾ ਨੰਬਰ ਬਣਦਾ।
18. “ਪ੍ਰਾਈਮ ਨਾਲ ਸ਼ਿਫਟ” ਕੋਡ: 2, 3, 5, 7… – 26 ਤੋਂ ਘੱਟ ਪ੍ਰਾਈਮ ਇੱਕ ਵਾਰ ਲਿਖੋ।
19. ਮਿਰਰ ਜੋੜੀ ਜਾਂਚ: A-Z, B-Y… (13 ਜੋੜੀਆਂ) – 50 % ਸਮਾਂ ਬਚਾਉਂਦਾ।
20. ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾਂ ਡੀਕੋਡ ਕੀਤੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਨੂੰ ਉੱਤਰ ਵਿਕਲਪਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਚੈੱਕ ਕਰੋ – 3 ਚੋਣਾਂ ਤੁਰੰਤ ਹਟ ਜਾਂਦੀਆਂ।

ਫਾਰਮੂਲੇ/ਨਿਯਮ

ਯਾਦ ਰੱਖਣ ਦੇ ਟ੍ਰਿਕ (ਮਨੋਟੈਕਨਿਕ)

1. AZ-27: “A-Z 27 ਹੈ” – ਮਿਰਰ ਜੋੜ ਯਾਦ ਰੱਖਣ ਲਈ ਆਟੋ-ਰਿਕਸ਼ਾ ਨੰਬਰ ਸੋਚੋ।
2. Vowels 1-5-9-15-21: “An Eagle Is On Umbrella” – ਪਹਿਲੇ ਅੱਖਰ ਅਤੇ ਅੰਕ ਵਧਦੇ ਹਨ।
3. 5×5 Matrix: “ਪੰਜ ਦੋਸਤ ਪੰਜ ਕਤਾਰਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ” – ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਤੁਰੰਤ ਗਰਿੱਡ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਮਜਬੂਰ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ।
4. Shift Primes: “Two Three Five Seven – Two Thumbs For Victory” (2-3-5-7)।
5. Wrap-around: “Z ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ A ਆਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ – ਜਿਵੇਂ ਐਤਵਾਰ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਸੋਮਵਾਰ” – mod-26 ਕਦੇ ਨਾ ਭੁੱਲੋ।

ਆਮ ਗਲਤੀਆਂ

5 ਤੇਜ਼ MCQs

Q1. ਜੇ “ROSE” ਨੂੰ “58” ਵਜੋਂ ਕੋਡ ਕੀਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ ਤਾਂ “LOTUS” ਹੈ
A) 60 B) 65 C) 70 D) 75

Q2. ਇੱਕ ਨਿਯਤ ਕੋਡ ਵਿੱਚ “DELHI” ਨੂੰ “CDKGH” ਲਿਖਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। “BCKGP” ਕਿਸ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਲਈ ਕੋਡ ਹੈ?
A) CALIF B) CAMEL C) CABLE D) CADET

Q3. ਜੇ A=#, B=@, C=%, D=$ ਅਤੇ ਇਸੇ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ, “BAD” ਲਈ ਕੋਡ ਹੈ
A) @#$ B) @#% C) @%$ D) @$#

Q4. “TEACH” → “HDIZX” ਮਿਰਰ ਕੋਡਿੰਗ ਰਾਹੀਂ। “EXAM” ਕੀ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ?
A) VCZN B) VCZO C) VCZN D) VEZO

Q5. ਪੈਟਰਨ 2, 5, 10, 17, 26, … ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ, ਛੇਵੇਂ ਪਦ ਨਾਲ ਕਿਹੜਾ ਅੱਖਰ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹੈ?
A) Q B) R C) S D) T

(ਜਵਾਬ: 1-B, 2-C, 3-A, 4-A, 5-D)