Sign up -- Contest Thread

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05-09-2002
ygfperson

Sign up -- Contest Thread

Contest theme: Phone Book
Directions: Write a pure C program, using only standard function calls and your own wits, that organizes phone numbers and corresponding names in a way which makes your program the best.
Criteria:
speed -- will not be counted because it's damn near impossible to measure nowadays... :D
efficiency -- make your program lean and mean
elegance -- make your source code neat and logically flowing
portability -- this should be inferred from "pure C"
specialized criteria:
sorting algorithms -- use the one most suitable for your program, and make it fit the above criteria
interface -- make it look neat to the end user.
flexibility -- make your program able to handle (reasonably) large volumes of data, and yet keep it small if the end user happens to be a priest (or just a nerd)
Time Limit: write and submit your programs to [email protected] or you can pm me the code. Just make sure I have it. The contest ends next Sunday night, the 19th (because i'll be in North Carolina on Saturday). I will distribute the submitted code (which may include executables) to all the judges after then. There are 6 days left.(note: if you submit something within a day after sunday, which might happen because of time zone differences, i'll still accept it.)
Signed up Contestants: 9 slots left, 6 slots filled
Hammer
cicero
brian
QuestionC
dbaryl
Dual-Catfish
Signed up Judges: 2 slots left, 3 slots filled
ygfperson
nvoigt
prelude
Make sure your program can add new entries, delete old entries, and show current entries, at least. Those programs that can save their info for later are especially welcomed.

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: your source code will be posted in public after judging.

And above all, make sure your program works...;)
Good Luck. :)
05-09-2002
Dual-Catfish

I really don't think that's fair to make it pure C... that excludes many of us from even trying. (Including me)

Why couldn't it be C++?
05-09-2002
incognito

being as I am busy learning other things (check my sig) and partly because I suck, I am not going to program for this particular contest, so I rather be a judge.
05-09-2002
ygfperson

Quote:

Originally posted by Dual-Catfish
I really don't think that's fair to make it pure C... that excludes many of us from even trying. (Including me)

Why couldn't it be C++?

there needs to be a standard. C++ offers advantages which make the C programmer struggle harder. I made it C because it's simpler to judge and encourages smaller programs. Most importantly, it was luck of the draw. ;)

Don't fret about C. C++ is almost C, with minor exceptions. Just don't use classes, anything STL, and some syntax (like declaring integers and assigning them on the same command: int x=0; ) is not allowed. Ditto with for loops.

I've updated the post, 3 judges left.
05-09-2002
Hammer

Mark me down as a contestant..... hopefully I'll get it finished in time, work permitting. :rolleyes:

What's the prize, btw? A week on the sunny beaches of somewhere nice with loads of good looking barmaids bringing drinks all day?
05-09-2002
incognito

If this is an official contest from cprog and its members, then I feel this thread should be made a sticky for at least a week. Mods what ya think?
05-09-2002
lightatdawn

Sure. Done.
05-09-2002
ygfperson

your prize is the admiration and respect from those who normally would ignore that bear trap on your foot because of the shame you have brought them.

in other words, bull-excrement.
05-09-2002
novacain

>>A week on the sunny beaches of somewhere nice with loads of good looking barmaids bringing drinks all day?

Sure come and visit anytime. Bring suntan lotion.
05-09-2002
nvoigt

Sign me up as judge.

Wouldn't be fair to participate, I spend 40 hours a week programming tools for address databases. You'd probably get an application with an Oracle DB from me managing a whole continents phonebooks including country specific formats :p

Please note that if it's "Pure C" I will submit a header to the public, that will allow the C people to use gotoxy and clrscr in MSVC Console mode. conio.h is far from standard.

If you make me a judge, I will look at some criteria not directly mentioned above:

Variable and Function naming
Standard procecures
Comments
Program structure and modularity
05-10-2002
RobR

Mark me down as a contestant (as long as nobody laughs)!!!
05-10-2002
Hammer

Quote:

Originally posted by novacain
>>A week on the sunny beaches of somewhere nice with loads of good looking barmaids bringing drinks all day?

Sure come and visit anytime. Bring suntan lotion.

git :D That's not on! We have crappy summers here. Maybe we should swap.... you like rain and cloudy days? :p
Damn, 'spose I should get coding.... gonna miss that dealine....
05-10-2002
novacain

>>you like rain and cloudy days?

Its winter here now.

Got down to 24C today. Surfs up though.
05-10-2002
Prelude

I'll judge as well if there's a spot left.

-Prelude
05-10-2002
ygfperson

conio.h is all right. i'm talking about anything excessively helpful... like a library deticated to phone books (if there is such a thing).

but using conio.h will get points dropped from the portability scale...

//edit: updated post

need more contestants!!!
05-10-2002
RobR

Oh dang, so I can't use _msphonebook.h then!
05-10-2002
Hammer

Twice as many judges as there are contestants!? hmmm.:( Common people, get on the list and have a go!
05-10-2002
Prelude

>Twice as many judges as there are contestants!? hmmm.
Probably because it's easier to criticize other people's code than it is to write your own and a phonebook is too easy to be a decent enough challenge. ;)

-Prelude
05-10-2002
RobR

Quote:

Originally posted by Prelude
>Twice as many judges as there are contestants!? hmmm.
Probably because it's easier to criticize other people's code than it is to write your own and a phonebook is too easy to be a decent enough challenge. ;)

-Prelude

...for you maybe:) . Which in itself is a good argument for 2 contests. What I don't understand is that at least 4 people voted for the phonebook!
05-10-2002
incognito

I think that the next little programming contest should be divided into teams with other people that way people can learn from others. Well maybe for you Prelude is easy :D but some of use are not so good :p We are learning still
05-10-2002
dbaryl

Quote:

Originally posted by Prelude
>Twice as many judges as there are contestants!? hmmm.
Probably because it's easier to criticize other people's code than it is to write your own and a phonebook is too easy to be a decent enough challenge. ;)

-Prelude

[irony]I'm not participating, because I simply suck and don't think that I can stand up to the challenge...[/irony]

I'd do it anyways, but right now school's getting to me, won't have the time... maybe, just maybe.

SUGGESTION: I think that the judges, after the individual programs have been evaluated, should include their comments along with the code for the contestants. Make it obvious why a person gets that score, as well as allows room for improvement/learning, which is the whole point of this thing.

Also, I wouldn't mind seing the winning code/program :)
05-11-2002
ygfperson

Quote:

SUGGESTION: I think that the judges, after the individual programs have been evaluated, should include their comments along with the code for the contestants. Make it obvious why a person gets that score, as well as allows room for improvement/learning, which is the whole point of this thing.

yes, so long as the comments aren't put into the code.

all code will be posted after the contest, hopefully with smileys off to avoid certain... complications. :D
05-11-2002
incognito

Wait!!!!!!!! So I have about 4 weeks before I graduate (yes!!!!!!) and now I've been dumped a whole load of work, so I don't think I can judge........because I need to get all this work done now, so there's one more judging spot left.......Please ygfperson would be be so kind as to update the post? :D :p Please. Thanks
05-11-2002
ygfperson

done.
05-11-2002
ygfperson

i'll tell everyone on this thread when it's over. there's still a full week left.
05-11-2002
Dual-Catfish

I would sign up, but I'm pretty sure I can't code in pure C :/
Oh well... will any of the future contests be in C++?
05-12-2002
ygfperson

Quote:

Originally posted by Dual-Catfish
I would sign up, but I'm pretty sure I can't code in pure C :/
Oh well... will any of the future contests be in C++?

yes. (or at least very probably.) who knows, it might even be in c#.... when pigs fly (or enough people ask for it). i just need to choose between c and c++ for each contest. having both gives one an unfair advantage over the other.

don't count on the next contest having the same criteria as this one. the next one's still up in the air.

in the meantime...
anyone wanna join? we can use more contestants.
05-12-2002
Cicero

i wanna compete. put me on the contestant list too
05-12-2002
Brian

I'll do it! I'm the best!

[Starts flowchats :)]
05-12-2002
ygfperson

you have been added.
05-12-2002
QuestionC

Ehh... I was gonna be a judge, (I am possibly too experienced for this contest), but I guess y'all want contestants... so be ready to recieve the most usefull little phonebook program this side of the Mississippi.
05-12-2002
ygfperson

which side is that?
05-13-2002
RobR

Ooops, extremely sorry ygf. Can you take my name off the entrants list. I've had some meetings come up at short notice, and there's no way I'm gonna hit the deadline. Maybe next time.
05-13-2002
ygfperson

k...delete, and done.

btw, anyone:
i'm looking for an ideal amount of 7 contestants and 3 judges. you aren't obligated to submit anything if you sign up. (of course, you wouldn't win...)

and of course, more contestants are nice :)
05-13-2002
ygfperson

to cicero:
i got your entry. it compiles fine. (i can't offer more advice than that.) but you should change your search option, it's causing seg. faults on my computer.
05-13-2002
dbaryl

What's up with everyone? Why doesn't anyone sign up? This is kinda sad, no-one wants to do it... I suck, but I guess I'll give it a shot. Those of you who think they are too good for this, why don't you do it and have fun putting me down? And for those who think they are bad, well, you are not alone, I'm willing to bet I'm worse.

I'll give it a shot just so that there will be an entry you guys can have a good laugh at, how about that :)
05-13-2002
Dual-Catfish

Ah what the hell, sign me up :/
I just suffered a HD crash, but I still have this old computer to code on. I'll try my best to make it pure C, but don't blame me if some C++ conventions slip in here and there :)

Edit:: Oh shoot, wisdom teeth go byebye on thursday... hopefully that doesn't affect me too much.
05-13-2002
ygfperson

updated.
and thanks :)
05-15-2002
dbaryl

Quote:

Originally posted by ygfperson

Don't fret about C. C++ is almost C, with minor exceptions. Just don't use classes, anything STL, and some syntax (like declaring integers and assigning them on the same command: int x=0; ) is not allowed. Ditto with for loops.

I thought that declaring and initilizing was OK... I know it compiles just fine, but is that cause of a C++ compiler, or cause it's not THAT wrong (like void main :) )?
05-15-2002
ygfperson

i think that kind of behavior is not standard on c compilers. some conform to the c99 standard which makes the syntax a little more flexible, sorta like c++. but rest assured, if you mistakenly put something like that in there, it won't count for much against you.
05-16-2002
Hammer

Quote:

Originally posted by ygfperson
i think that kind of behavior is not standard on c compilers. some conform to the c99 standard which makes the syntax a little more flexible, sorta like c++. but rest assured, if you mistakenly put something like that in there, it won't count for much against you.

Also, see this by Prelude:
http://www.cprogramming.com/cboard/s...782#post113871
05-16-2002
ygfperson

hehe... i thought it was... guess it's not
though i will bet my first-born that that kind of statement isn't allowed in a for loop
05-16-2002
Prelude

>though i will bet my first-born that that kind of statement isn't allowed in a for loop
Lucky for your first-born that you're correct. In C89 declaring variables in the initialization part of a for loop isn't allowed, but C99 does add this feature.

-Prelude
05-17-2002
Sebastiani

Contest? I want to be in. But it's Thursday night and and that means 3 days. I'll try to pay more attention to the boards next time, then...Besides, I always fail horribly at writing standardized code:(
05-17-2002
ygfperson

to all contestants and quasi-contestants (that means you sebastiani :D):
you all know when the deadline is. but to make it simple:
if you submit something, you are a contestant
if you do not submit something, you are not a contestant
irregardless of whether i added your name to the list. that's merely for recordkeeping purposes...

now, to judges:
sometime within a day or two after the deadline i will send each of you the code, zipped up into seperate files for each contestant. since there is no secret board around here (besides the mod one), i'll send it via e-mail to all of you. that means i need your addresses. (i can't use the vBulletin features to do it because that only submits text to your e-mail address.)
upon receiving the zip files you will unzip and poke, prod, compile, scramble, etc. the contestant's code until you are sure of what scores they deserve. make your scores conform to a 5 point scale, 1 being the worst, according to each category i have listen. if you have other comments and/or other criteria, feel free to add them. after all is said and done, i will average the scores together and attempt to pronounce the winner's name.
i will start a new thread, which i hope someone will make sticky. i'll post the judicial comments first, and the winner, and basicly why s/he won. then i'll post all the code in no particular order. then the general public is free to make comments, spurn, openly defy, or just plain shut up about the results. ;)
05-18-2002
Hammer

Time's nearly up !:eek: :eek:
05-19-2002
Driveway

I can't help but noticing but today is the 19th. Why is my post the first today?
05-19-2002
Hammer

I emailed my code to ygfperson, but have had no response... I presume they're busy.
05-19-2002
ygfperson

no... i was just in North Carolina (as said in the first post).
judges, gimme your e-mail addresses (nvoigt, i got yours)
contestants should finish up and send their entries in within 24 hours of now
05-19-2002
Prelude

You should have my email as well, but it's [email protected]

-Prelude
05-19-2002
Dual-Catfish

Sorry, I didn't finish in time :(
Ah well, maybe next time.
05-20-2002
Hammer

Who entered in the end? Must admit, I spent longer do this than I thought I would! :rolleyes:
05-20-2002
ygfperson

i'll tell all tonight
05-21-2002
ygfperson

what's your opinion... should i allow his late entry?
anyway, for all intents and purposes, no more entries will be accepted. i'll send stuff to judges within a day.
05-21-2002
Hammer

Quote:

Originally posted by ygfperson
what's your opinion... should i allow his late entry?

Hang on.... let me download seb's source and see if it's better than mine :D

Na, seriously, I haven't looked, and it's OK by me to let him in. Seb, if ya win, you owe me a beer. ;)
05-21-2002
Sebastiani

Well, a deadline's a deadline. I missed it! So I lose! Don't worry, like I said, I will pay more attention to these things. I don't want to be viewed as the whiney late contestant, anyhow. So good luck to the winner!
05-21-2002
Xmevs

Are the judges pre-announced, or can anyone be one?

If anyone can, see email in sig. :D
05-21-2002
Xmevs

Oh, and I think Sebastiani should be included, since he didn't notice this thread, and only used three (four?) days on it...
05-21-2002
ygfperson

this thread's been up at least a week, maybe a week and a half. he's had ample oppurtunity; and anyway, he refused.

and no, not just anyone can be a judge. (at least not now, now that the contest is over.)
05-21-2002
ygfperson

two contestants have submitted entries: hammer and cicero. am I missing anyone?
05-21-2002
Sebastiani

Gad! I found a bug in the code that deleted contacts when sorted! It was a simple ';'!!

Anyway, here is the actual program...:rolleyes:
05-21-2002
Xmevs

Well, mr. Jack Rabbit :D

will there be a new competition soon? I love competitions, and I'd like to do something decent for once... (I just found out that I ****ed up at a cpp-home.com contest :D )
05-21-2002
ygfperson

there are two contestants and three judges: hammer and cicero, and prelude, nvoigt, and me
i'll send you the two entries over e-mail

sometime soon i'd like go into a chat room and discuss each piece in detail, and basically decide who wins. what times are good for you both? (prelude and nvoigt)

yes there will be a new competition, but it won't be formed by the weekend, at least. before discussing a new contest, we have to decide this one.
05-22-2002
Xmevs

Of course
05-22-2002
ygfperson

i have e-mailed prelude and nvoigt. (btw hammer, i transferred your files into another zip). to nvoigt & prelude, give me your opinions around saturday-ish. if you want to discuss it in a chat room sometime, respond to this thread. (also tell me if you've received it successfully).
05-24-2002
ygfperson

prelude? nvoigt? u there?
05-24-2002
Prelude

>prelude? nvoigt? u there?
Check your email.

-Prelude
05-24-2002
ygfperson

ah. don't check my e-mail often enough. seems i missed the deadline. how about... tonight at 9:30 PM or tomorrow sometime?
05-25-2002
nvoigt

sorry, I received the contests entries, but had a very busy week. I thought I had experienced anything there is in teaching C/C++, especially as trying to explain something over the net in a foreign language isn't that easy. Last week I learned that even if you are sitting at the same desk using the same language, teaching can be soooo tough if your pupil is just no attuned to computers. And teaching VB is even harder, because sometimes you cannot explain syntax with logic, as it simply isn't logical in VB. Not if you don't write compilers yourself, and beginners seldom do m-(

You will get my comments tomorrow. Looks really promising so far ;-)
05-26-2002
ygfperson

once i have your comments i'll post a winner's thread and ... tell who the winner is. then we can get on with the next contest. keep the ideas brewing. ;)

to judges: once i get your scores, nvoigt, i'll average them with prelude and mine's. then i'll post everybody's opinion along with the winning piece.
05-27-2002
ygfperson

unsticky this thread, please?
//edit thanks

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