Programming Contests

**Hammer** · 05-08-2002

Originally posted by ygfperson

obfuscated code. (more obfuscated == better)
a calculator program written using only bit manipulating operators. (no adding, subtracting, etc.)
a text editor. (more features == better)
a hex editor.
a 3d renderer.
an encryption contest, based on newly made encryption methods.

and of course, all code needs to be either from a standard library (or close to it, like conio.h), or your own.

I vote for encryption, calculator, and obfuscated, in that order.

I can't think of anything to suggest though

I presume it depends on what the contest is actually about, but wouldn't it be good to ensure portability of the code plays a part in the judging?

**RobR** · 05-08-2002

a calculator program written using only bit manipulating operators. (no adding, subtracting, etc.)

Anybody fancy starting with this one??

**RobR** · 05-08-2002

I presume it depends on what the contest is actually about, but wouldn't it be good to ensure portability of the code plays a part in the judging?

Nah.... That just means we get the Linux types entering (J/K)

**Hammer** · 05-08-2002

Originally posted by RobR
Nah.... That just means we get the Linux types entering (J/K)

Oh yer, sorry, forgot about that

**Gades** · 05-08-2002

A couple of things:

1) most of you guys, prefer C or C++ for a contest (I'm talking about which one is better and non-sense like that, just for the contest's purposes)

2) what if we post the usual assignments we're asked to do at Uni? I don't mean to get our homework done; it's only that probably this type of programs have some learning purposes, so I guess that'd be a good idea for a newbie (just like me, although I'm not entering in the contests yet)

Hope to see your answers guys.

**RobR** · 05-08-2002

what if we post the usual assignments we're asked to do at Uni

Hee he he.....

and I'll just post some of my "to do" list

**Gades** · 05-08-2002

Originally posted by RobR
Hee he he.....

and I'll just post some of my "to do" list

Rob, just for the record, I don't have assignments anymore. It's just an idea.

**RobR** · 05-08-2002

Originally posted by Gades

Rob, just for the record, I don't have assignments anymore. It's just an idea.

And a very good one, which didn't deserve my cynicism......

So. Enough talking, what's the decision. Who's gonna make the post to kick this off???

**Gades** · 05-08-2002

Originally posted by RobR

And a very good one, which didn't deserve my cynicism......

So. Enough talking, what's the decision. Who's gonna make the post to kick this off???

I like your cynicism, because at least I do understand it

About giving ideas, when I first started looking at C, the first thing that came to my head was something like a Phone Book. I guess it sounds quite simple, but I really liked the idea to write a small program, which would store records of names, phones, addresses and so on.

In a previous post, nvoigt mentioned that there should be different categories. I think, that we could have for example a newbie contest (let's say the phone book), and an advanced contest (let's say something about 3D figures).

Any feedback please?

**ygfperson** · 05-08-2002

so this idea definately has support.

regarding homework: let's try to make the contests unique; something which wouldn't be normally asked for homework.

regarding judging: portability would probably be a factor, like speed, efficiency, size, and elegance. of course there will be some contest-specific criteria, like strength of encryption if it's an encryption contest.

since this is cprogramming.com (as mods have pointed out many many times...) it should probably be c, c++ or c# (as if that's gonna happen). but a contest should be limited one language for fairness.

regarding segregation of programmers: i'm not sure on this one. there is no way to make a professional-proof newbie contest. i believe there should be one contest to keep things simple.

i was thinking of having a weekly contest (or once every two weeks, as circumstances go). there would be only one contest at cprogramming.com. (i want to make one contest the focus of attention, so it would be more competetive.)

one more issue: who? when? where?
here's my suggestion(which is open to interpretation):
maintainer of contest: ygfperson
judges: zack, brian, joe, sarah... (fake names, as if you didn't know already

)
contestants: big john, achoo, robin hood, jimmy carter, ...
spectators: duh...

when: saturday (by then everything should be set) for one week, after which judges judge, then submit scores
where: either in a sticky on the board (like robr's post) or another forum entirely

**RobR** · 05-08-2002

OK ygf, my thread deleted. But we need to make some decisions soon, before the impetus goes.

**Hammer** · 05-08-2002

Weekly sounds a bit ambitious, maybe every other week or you'll soon run out of ideas. Personally, I'd like weekly, but I don't think you'll achieve it. But hey... prove me wrong! please.

A new forum specifically for it sounds like a good idea to me. Otherwise it'll all get lost in the crud of GD. <sorry crud generators

)

Starting Saturday... closing entries in by Friday midnight (gmt or whatever) sounds good as well.

.... but a contest should be limited one language for fairness.

OK limit them, but I presume the language will change each week or as and when.

Will this be for members only?

**ygfperson** · 05-08-2002

probably members only, although that shouldn't be too big a restriction. i can see it now...

and the winner is.... (we'd like to thank freihoffer's cheezes, oh lordy, what a cheese) Unregistered!

yes, the language and criteria will change from contest to contest.

let's get some motion moving... whatever that means. i understand robr's concern of this topic going stale, so let's get some things decided today.
post all of your suggestions for what the contest should be about, and sometime tonight (eastern standard time) i'll post a poll where people can vote for their favorite one. tomorrow possibly we can start signing up judges and start the sticky about the contest.

remember: all code is assumed public domain. don't post commercial stuff, or stuff another guy/girl wrote.

**ygfperson** · 05-08-2002

my suggestions are:

obfuscated code. (more obfuscated == better)
a calculator program written using only bit manipulating operators. (no adding, subtracting, etc.)
a text editor. (more features == better)
a hex editor.
a 3d renderer.
an encryption contest, based on newly made encryption methods.

i've also heard: phone book.

any others?