Programming competition
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I know Code Project has an article competition - but how about a programming competition, where every week (or month) a small programming task is set - something that would generally take no more than 1000 lines of code to do - and all Code Project members are encouraged to submit answers. Ideally, it would be language/platform neutral, or there could be separate competitions for different platforms. The judging could be partly automated (i.e. the code has to compile and produce the expected output), then all the solutions that work correctly could be judged by a panel, or even by other (non-participating) readers. No need for prizes unless some corporate sponsor feels it's worth it I guess. Does anyone know of an existing website that does this? (I found one, but it hadn't been updated since 2006).
Not exactly a competition site, 'though they do have monthly (or so) random draws giving away commercial software (and I was the lucky winner of UltraEdit 12 a few months back :-)) there is: http://www.donationcoder.com[^] ("for software connoisseurs" as they put it on their homepage :-D) The software they offer is "donationware". Free to use, but needs to be re-registered every few months, however a perpetual license for everything may be obtained if *any* donation is given. They also have a forum where people may request small tools or app(let)s to do some specific task. One (or more) of the many programmers regularly reading may then take up the challenge and produce a solution within a matter of days (or even hours!) subsequently making the tool available for anyone that wants it! For the latest newsletter (to get an idea of what the site is all about), follow this link: http://www.donationcoder.com/Forums/bb/index.php?topic=12788.0[^] John
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There's also Google code jam The 2008 site[^] is just a place holder at the moment. There was a beta run the other week, the questions and scores are here: http://code.google.com/codejam/[^]
Simon
I like the sort of problems I saw there - but not so keen on the timing requirements (not because I'm not a fast coder, but I don't often have 2 hours I can be sure I can solidly dedicate to such a task). The other sites mentioned by various posters didn't seem to quite fit the bill, though maybe I need to look more at topcoder.com.
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Oh, I forgot mention, Code Project members should also be encouraged to submit tasks/problems too. As an example of the sort of task that might be suitable: a simple program that takes 3 or 4 web pages generated by the same server-side template/script, and that automatically "reverse engineers" the pages to work out what what the optimal template is. E.g. if the pages were 1.html This page is about apples.
Colour
Red
Size
Medium
2.html This page is about blueberries.
Colour
Blue/black
Size
Small
3.html This page is about coconuts.
Colour
Brown
Size
Large
Then then the optimal output template (in .aspx format) would be something like: This page is about <%=v1>
Colour
<%=v3%>
Size
<%=v4>
To pass the automated part of the test, the application would be compiled and run against at least 3 sets of files, (i.e., not the ones that are given as examples as part of the task definition), and the output tested to confirm it was at least sensible (e.g. matches the regular expression ^.{10,200}\s*$), or if the task itself was defined very strictly, then there's no reason why the output shouldn't be exactly as expected. Ideally, programmers should be able to submit their solution to be tested against the automated checker first, just to confirm their solution compiles and runs. Anyway, just an idea...
do you get prizes for the most "enterprisy" solution?
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I know Code Project has an article competition - but how about a programming competition, where every week (or month) a small programming task is set - something that would generally take no more than 1000 lines of code to do - and all Code Project members are encouraged to submit answers. Ideally, it would be language/platform neutral, or there could be separate competitions for different platforms. The judging could be partly automated (i.e. the code has to compile and produce the expected output), then all the solutions that work correctly could be judged by a panel, or even by other (non-participating) readers. No need for prizes unless some corporate sponsor feels it's worth it I guess. Does anyone know of an existing website that does this? (I found one, but it hadn't been updated since 2006).
It would be kind of fun to have 2 categories for each programming task - The Right Way and The Wrong Way. You could do one or both, but both solutions must compile, run, and produce the expected result.
Broken Bokken You can't carry out a ninja-style assasination dressed as an astronaut. It's the luminous fabric; too visible. - Tripod http://www.brokenbokken.com
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I know Code Project has an article competition - but how about a programming competition, where every week (or month) a small programming task is set - something that would generally take no more than 1000 lines of code to do - and all Code Project members are encouraged to submit answers. Ideally, it would be language/platform neutral, or there could be separate competitions for different platforms. The judging could be partly automated (i.e. the code has to compile and produce the expected output), then all the solutions that work correctly could be judged by a panel, or even by other (non-participating) readers. No need for prizes unless some corporate sponsor feels it's worth it I guess. Does anyone know of an existing website that does this? (I found one, but it hadn't been updated since 2006).
A great idea, I'd suggest to start with some common task with new technology, such as marshup.
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I know Code Project has an article competition - but how about a programming competition, where every week (or month) a small programming task is set - something that would generally take no more than 1000 lines of code to do - and all Code Project members are encouraged to submit answers. Ideally, it would be language/platform neutral, or there could be separate competitions for different platforms. The judging could be partly automated (i.e. the code has to compile and produce the expected output), then all the solutions that work correctly could be judged by a panel, or even by other (non-participating) readers. No need for prizes unless some corporate sponsor feels it's worth it I guess. Does anyone know of an existing website that does this? (I found one, but it hadn't been updated since 2006).
TopCoder.com does this.
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Send me a few quiz questions and I'll do it. I love the idea.
cheers, Chris Maunder
CodeProject.com : C++ MVP
I like the idea of simple challenges. The fun part of these simple tasks is to solve the problem in a unique way. Other people's solutions are often instructive and informative. Participants could be acclaimed for their unique solutions. Least number of lines of code. Most elegant solution. Fastest performance. Easiest to understand and modify. Most innovative approach. Anytime a solution really stands out, for whatever reason, recognize that. Fun idea.
Scott H.
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I know Code Project has an article competition - but how about a programming competition, where every week (or month) a small programming task is set - something that would generally take no more than 1000 lines of code to do - and all Code Project members are encouraged to submit answers. Ideally, it would be language/platform neutral, or there could be separate competitions for different platforms. The judging could be partly automated (i.e. the code has to compile and produce the expected output), then all the solutions that work correctly could be judged by a panel, or even by other (non-participating) readers. No need for prizes unless some corporate sponsor feels it's worth it I guess. Does anyone know of an existing website that does this? (I found one, but it hadn't been updated since 2006).
Does anyone know of an existing website that does this? (I found one, but it hadn't been updated since 2006).
There's Project Euler, which is not really a competition, let's say more like a challenge — it's like, math problems that require programming to be solved. (Some people do it with pen and paper, but it's not something I'd do... mostly because I'm not that much of a math guru, heh).
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This is waaay OT, but have a look at ReactOS. The are re-coding Windows (too much trouble if you ask me - imagine all the patents...)
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This is waaay OT, but have a look at ReactOS. The are re-coding Windows (too much trouble if you ask me - imagine all the patents...)
Is it possible to install the .NET Framework without, say... Windows? On THAT note... Here's a challenge: Create a C# application (And put it on a CD / DVD) that is recognized as a Boot Disk, and have it, on load, run a Windows-Form Hello-World Application! EG: Normal Ram Check, etc... *Press Any Key To Boot From CD* ....... (Press Enter) (Maybe some loading / installing / whatever) (Up pops a Windows Form) Hello World! Requirements: 1.) ALL code must be coded in C#. 2.) Must require only a Single CD / DVD. 3.) Must NOT require anything to run (At all - Clean Format) 4.) User must be able to click an "Exit" button on the Form, rebooting the computer. NB: 5.) Must NOT break an existing OS install. Besides that... No other rules! (Maybe stick the .NET Framework and a Launcher on the disk, and have it somehow load your app, with some default Mouse Drivers?) Good Luck :D - Reelix
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Is it possible to install the .NET Framework without, say... Windows? On THAT note... Here's a challenge: Create a C# application (And put it on a CD / DVD) that is recognized as a Boot Disk, and have it, on load, run a Windows-Form Hello-World Application! EG: Normal Ram Check, etc... *Press Any Key To Boot From CD* ....... (Press Enter) (Maybe some loading / installing / whatever) (Up pops a Windows Form) Hello World! Requirements: 1.) ALL code must be coded in C#. 2.) Must require only a Single CD / DVD. 3.) Must NOT require anything to run (At all - Clean Format) 4.) User must be able to click an "Exit" button on the Form, rebooting the computer. NB: 5.) Must NOT break an existing OS install. Besides that... No other rules! (Maybe stick the .NET Framework and a Launcher on the disk, and have it somehow load your app, with some default Mouse Drivers?) Good Luck :D - Reelix
Well there are three OSs using C# as the ONLY programming language (besides some NANT scripts). But they are all a few years away from a GUI capable system: so possible, yes; now, no. FYI: www.sharpos.org (The original) www.cosmos.org (Probably the most further along, have a unique technology where the MsCorlib can be used as-is). www.ensemble-os.org (I am working on this one, still working on the IL -> ML compiler) Exciting stuff I might add (SharpOS has a VGA bootscreen a while back which was bloody impressive). They are all IL-based OSes, but C# is the language of choice (mainly due to the unsafe constructs). I utterly recommend all three projects to any tinkerers. The teams are very focused and most are a bag of laughs.
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Well there are three OSs using C# as the ONLY programming language (besides some NANT scripts). But they are all a few years away from a GUI capable system: so possible, yes; now, no. FYI: www.sharpos.org (The original) www.cosmos.org (Probably the most further along, have a unique technology where the MsCorlib can be used as-is). www.ensemble-os.org (I am working on this one, still working on the IL -> ML compiler) Exciting stuff I might add (SharpOS has a VGA bootscreen a while back which was bloody impressive). They are all IL-based OSes, but C# is the language of choice (mainly due to the unsafe constructs). I utterly recommend all three projects to any tinkerers. The teams are very focused and most are a bag of laughs.
http://www.cosmos.org/[^] Are you SURE about that one... ? www.sharpos.org looks the best so far :) And besides... I was looking for a (Possible Relatively)simple Program - Not an entire OS :) - Reelix
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http://www.cosmos.org/[^] Are you SURE about that one... ? www.sharpos.org looks the best so far :) And besides... I was looking for a (Possible Relatively)simple Program - Not an entire OS :) - Reelix
Unfortunately is has to be an OS, because it runs outside of an OS, which in turn makes it an OS :). Sorry, the cosmos website is www.gocosmos.org