The answer is itself in the Question by coming out with different solutions. There are always more than one solutions (e.g. Sorting can be done in different ways viz. Bubble Sort, Selections sort etc.) you just need to choose a way you can do it (Sorting) efficiently. Try with different next time and so on..... And books for Problem solving..... None You can not learn Problem solving skills from books, more code you will execute more knowledge you will gain. Good Luck