Thread: SIGN-UP: Text Compression/Decompression Contest

  1. #1
    Just because ygfperson's Avatar
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    SIGN-UP: Text Compression Contest

    Contest theme: Text Compression
    Directions: Write a C/C++ program that takes a piece of text data and compresses it in a method of your choice. This method should be original, or at least be an original twist on another idea.
    Criteria:
    Elegance -- Make your code look nice and readable for the judges. Comments are nice.
    Efficiency -- Use as little memory and CPU cycles as possible. Choose an efficient algorithm.
    Portability -- Make your program confirm to ANSI-C standards as much as possible. Text compression should not require you to exceed these limits.
    Specialized Criteria:
    Creativity -- This counts double (10 pts). Keep your algorithm creative, without sacrificing ability. Don\'t oversimplify or overcomplicate.
    Compression ratio -- Is the program a good compressor? How often does it return uncompressed data; or worse, expanded data?
    Interface -- No fancy interface is required or expected. Make your interface newbie-proof and functional so that it's obvious how to use it.
    Time limit: a week and a half. This contest ends midnight, October 3.

    Contestants: 5 slots left
    The Dog
    -Ken-
    skyruler54
    cshot
    BMJ

    Judges: filled
    ygfperson
    xsquared
    Dcower
    master5001

    You can send your entry to [email protected] , [email protected] , or you can upload it at http://contests.cprogramming.com/ .

    Any questions?

    Remember: above all, make sure your program works.

  2. #2
    Registered User The Dog's Avatar
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    What the heck, I'll give it a go, I'm in.

  3. #3
    Registered User xds4lx's Avatar
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    By saying:
    Portability -- Make your program confirm to ANSI-C standards as much as possible. Text compression should not require you to exceed these limits.
    does that rule out using C++?
    "only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and im not sure about the former." - albert einstein

  4. #4
    C++ Developer XSquared's Avatar
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    Re: SIGN-UP: Text Compression Contest

    Originally posted by ygfperson

    Time limit: a week and a half. This contest ends midnight, October 3.
    Wouldn't a week and a half from September 28th be Oct 10th?
    Naturally I didn't feel inspired enough to read all the links for you, since I already slaved away for long hours under a blistering sun pressing the search button after typing four whole words! - Quzah

    You. Fetch me my copy of the Wall Street Journal. You two, fight to the death - Stewie

  5. #5
    Just because ygfperson's Avatar
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    Originally posted by xds4lx
    By saying:

    does that rule out using C++?
    no... i should have made that clearer...

    just try to confirm to portable code, like not using conio.h or dos.h, for instance

    Wouldn't a week and a half from September 28th be Oct 10th?
    right... (i really have to stop posting these threads late at night)
    October 10 it is.

    you're up, dog

  6. #6
    Just because ygfperson's Avatar
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    from another post somewhere else:
    What a coincidence. I have spent the past week or so working on compression for a game that I'm working on. My general purpose compressor did beat out winzip in many areas. Is there any sort of prize? Who is judging?
    no prizes...
    just the feeling that you're better than us.

    i'm judging so far, but judges can sign up, too, if you feel qualified.

  7. #7
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    Is the text to be read from a text file?

  8. #8
    C++ Developer XSquared's Avatar
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    I'm willing to judge, if you want me to.
    Naturally I didn't feel inspired enough to read all the links for you, since I already slaved away for long hours under a blistering sun pressing the search button after typing four whole words! - Quzah

    You. Fetch me my copy of the Wall Street Journal. You two, fight to the death - Stewie

  9. #9
    Just because ygfperson's Avatar
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    it's to be read from whatever source you choose

    //edit: i've added you, xsquared

  10. #10
    C++ Developer XSquared's Avatar
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    its xsquared
    Naturally I didn't feel inspired enough to read all the links for you, since I already slaved away for long hours under a blistering sun pressing the search button after typing four whole words! - Quzah

    You. Fetch me my copy of the Wall Street Journal. You two, fight to the death - Stewie

  11. #11
    Just because ygfperson's Avatar
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    k, sorry bout that.

  12. #12
    Registered User Dcower's Avatar
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    Question

    Can I judge...?

  13. #13
    Just because ygfperson's Avatar
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    sure.

    to everyone else: we still have plenty of slots for contestants...

  14. #14
    Just one more wrong move. -KEN-'s Avatar
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    I'll take a crack at it.

  15. #15
    Banned master5001's Avatar
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    Awe no prizes. I didn't plan on entering anyway. Could I be a judge though?

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