Speedcubing and software engineering

I got into speedcubing some time ago. At first it looked like pure magic, but once you start learning it, you realize it is just a set of algorithms and pattern recognition.

Most people start with the beginner method, which is slow and has many repetitive steps. Then you move to CFOP (Cross, F2L, OLL, PLL).

F2L (First Two Layers) is the most interesting part because it is intuitive. You stop thinking about individual moves and start seeing pairs and open slots.

OLL and PLL are pure muscle memory. You learn around 78 algorithms in total, but you do not execute them step by step in your head. Your fingers just do the work once your eyes recognize the pattern.

It feels very similar to programming. When you start learning to code, you think about syntax, brackets, and basic loops. Later on, you recognize architectural patterns and data structures almost automatically.

Also, playing with a good magnetic 3x3 cube is just a great way to take a break from the screen and let your hands do something physical.