Thread: Sign Up -- The Next Contest

  1. #1
    Just because ygfperson's Avatar
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    Sign Up -- The Next Contest

    Contest theme: Encryption
    Directions: Write a C or C++ program, using your own wits and standard portable function calls, write a program that takes a stream of ASCII text and encrypts it beyond casual readability.
    Time limit: Submit your entry to me at [email protected] by the midnight between June 8 and June 9. (of course, time zones will make this different, so anything late within a reasonable time frame will be accepted.)
    Criteria:
    speed -- make it process large text files in a reasonable amount of time
    efficiency -- make your program lean and mean
    elegance -- make your source code neat and logically flowing
    portability -- make it reasonably portable.
    Specialized Criteria:
    Interface -- either input the text at a prompt, take it from standard input, or take it from a file. Most of this is up to you. Just don't beaucracize it up. Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) are allowed, but will be counted with the same weight as command line interfaces.
    Size of Encrypted Data -- don't make it larger than 110% of the original string
    Creativity -- this counts double. Make your algorithm new, or give an old one a unique twist.
    Strength -- it shouldn't be able to be broken by brute force and ignorance.
    Signed up Contestants : 7 slots left
    sean945
    vasanth
    tailorguitarman
    hammer
    Robr
    Xmevs
    shaik786
    QuestionC

    Signed up Judges: 2 slots left
    ygfperson
    nvoigt

    Your entry must be able to both encrypt and decrypt. The length of the inputted string should not matter. (But you can assume text at least two letters long.) An extra 2 points will be averaged in if your entry can encrypt any ASCII string, not just text. (But beware of the carriage return.) Your entry must be able to handle numbers, spaces, letters, and punctuation.

    If you want to judge or be a contestant reply to this thread saying which one you want to be. Judges should have the necessary knowledge to judge.

    Note: all source code submitted will be posted in public view. It is assumed your program isn't copyrighted or anything like that.

    Here's how the point system works:
    1) the various judges decide each category on a 5 point scale, 5 being best, 1 being worst, and 0 if that feature doesn't exist.
    2) they submit to me their opinions and scores. I also add my scores and opinions.
    3) creativity will count twice, and extra points will be added for ASCII compatability.
    4) for each judge, their scores will be averaged together to a general 5 point scale.
    5) i then average the general scores of the judges for each entry together, for one general score for each entry.
    6) i simply compare the points. The higher one wins.
    7) i post all opinions, scores of each judge, code of participants, and some congradulations to the winner.

    Any complaints may be filed with the Internet Forum Subjection Board under a revised provision of the Internet Law. Complaints will be meticuously verified and dealt with as time allows.

    Fortunately for me, such a body does not exist.

    And above all, make sure your program works...
    Last edited by ygfperson; 06-08-2002 at 04:05 PM.

  2. #2
    Registered User sean345's Avatar
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    I will be a contestant. What is the final date to turn a program in?

    - Sean
    If cities were built like software is built, the first woodpecker to come along would level civilization.
    Black Frog Studios

  3. #3
    Its not rocket science vasanth's Avatar
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    I am also a contestant now.. I have a doubt..

    Does a graphical user interface get extra points and vcan i use BGI graphics....

  4. #4
    Its not rocket science vasanth's Avatar
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    I have finished my program.. It now even encrypts Any char.. ASCII values.. ANd it is secure enough.. I have used two algorithms combined.. I havent done thre GUI yet.. So can i use BGI graphics.. And is a user interface required.. Some one please answer fast..

  5. #5
    the hat of redundancy hat nvoigt's Avatar
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    If we can have a weekend for judgement, sign me in as judge again Last contest showed me that while it were few participants, I didn't have the time to have a look at the programs in the week

    Programs should be ANSI C(++?) so we can compare them. I for one don't even have a Borland compiler, so anything Borland specific would go straight to my 'negative mention' list. Same might be true for other judges and VC.
    If you need compiler specific things, make sure they are in a seperate file, in which you can set a #define for which compiler it is intended. I would suppose Borland and VC should be supported so any judge can compile at least one version of the program.

    So any nice extra will get you bonus points, if you make sure it compiles with any ANSI C compiler on any platform.
    ( EvilJudge (tm) will test it with GBC on the Gameboy )
    hth
    -nv

    She was so Blonde, she spent 20 minutes looking at the orange juice can because it said "Concentrate."

    When in doubt, read the FAQ.
    Then ask a smart question.

  6. #6
    Fingerstyle Guitarist taylorguitarman's Avatar
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    I'm in as a contestant. It'll give me something to do while I continue looking for a job. Just let me know the end date.
    If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is around to see it, do the other trees make fun of it?

  7. #7
    Its not rocket science vasanth's Avatar
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    ohh the i cannot make a good graphical interface.. Any way where do i submit my program..

  8. #8
    End Of Line Hammer's Avatar
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    I'll have a go at entering... but I'm off for a 2 week holiday soon, so I might not get it finished in time
    When all else fails, read the instructions.
    If you're posting code, use code tags: [code] /* insert code here */ [/code]

  9. #9
    Its not rocket science vasanth's Avatar
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    Can some one please clarify.. What kind of interface the program should have.. COmmand line argument or a menu based one.... or somethig else



    thanx
    vasanth

  10. #10
    the hat of redundancy hat nvoigt's Avatar
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    What I would like is a program that takes all parameters as commandline arguments and if not supplied asks for the missing ones. But I guess thats bonus stuff, as long as it can take input in any ANSI compliant way, it's fine.
    hth
    -nv

    She was so Blonde, she spent 20 minutes looking at the orange juice can because it said "Concentrate."

    When in doubt, read the FAQ.
    Then ask a smart question.

  11. #11
    Just because ygfperson's Avatar
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    sorry for not answering your posts earlier, i was in school...
    I will be a contestant. What is the final date to turn a program in?

    - Sean
    e-mail all entries to [email protected] . it's the same address as the last contest. or, if you want, you can pm it to me. (although i don't think you can attach files like that)
    I have finished my program.. It now even encrypts Any char.. ASCII values.. ANd it is secure enough.. I have used two algorithms combined.. I havent done thre GUI yet.. So can i use BGI graphics.. And is a user interface required.. Some one please answer fast..
    making a GUI that doesn't overly complicate the theme will be evaluated as part of the interface. I cannot give extra points to those who make a GUI, though. It would be unfair to those who have systems not compatable with it, or who simply cannot make a GUI. Simply put, a graphical interface and a command line interface will be evaluated the same, based on the criteria i had posted.

    just make the interface logical. if it makes sense to you and the user, do it. doesn't matter if its a menu or just command-line.

    all other elements will be counted equally.
    Last edited by ygfperson; 05-31-2002 at 12:44 PM.

  12. #12
    www.entropysink.com
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    I'll have a slot if I can do it in C++.

    (you need a low-end to make everything else look good!!!!!)
    Visit entropysink.com - It's what your PC is made for!

  13. #13
    Just because ygfperson's Avatar
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    Directions: Write a C or C++ program,
    i'll add you on

  14. #14
    Its not rocket science vasanth's Avatar
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    ok what about nvoigt saying that command line argumented program gets more point.. Is it true.. I feel a menu driven is better since even a lay man can use it.... But i think that the encryption logic and strength should carry maximum marks..
    And is it ok. if i accepts meesage from the user keyboard save the encrypted message in a file.. And decrypt it by loading a file..... Please clarify

  15. #15
    Its not rocket science vasanth's Avatar
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    Ok i mailed my entry...

    I have attached the read me of my program and a sample encryption... Have a look

    Thanx
    bye

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