Programming Challenges

[gibsonrocker800]

I thought of a pretty cool idea for the site. A section on programming challenges. People can submit challenges, and then we can try to solve them. So, the people taking the challenge could post their code, and if it meets the requirements, they gain some sort of recognition points on the site. I don't know, maybe it's stupid, but i think it would be really cool.

[CaptainMorgan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gibsonrocker800

I thought of a pretty cool idea for the site. A section on programming challenges. People can submit challenges, and then we can try to solve them. So, the people taking the challenge could post their code, and if it meets the requirements, they gain some sort of recognition points on the site. I don't know, maybe it's stupid, but i think it would be really cool.

I think you have a great idea. I would only add, that the recognition system be carefully thought out. Personally speaking, I don't want a great programming site like ours turning into a "Reputation" or "Master Wizard" system. It's my belief we should all be thought of as equal and refrain from classing our members too much. Numbers I like, thus I'm envisioning a simple counter, such as what we have for the post count. Not stupid at all. People post completions to the challenge, as you said - if it's meets the requirements, it's pretty much guaranteed to be critiqued by others, this way we can see different approaches to problem solving(great learning experience). I like it.

[gibsonrocker800]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainMorgan

I think you have a great idea. I would only add, that the recognition system be carefully thought out. Personally speaking, I don't want a great programming site like ours turning into a "Reputation" or "Master Wizard" system. It's my belief we should all be thought of as equal and refrain from classing our members too much. Numbers I like, thus I'm envisioning a simple counter, such as what we have for the post count. Not stupid at all. People post completions to the challenge, as you said - if it's meets the requirements, it's pretty much guaranteed to be critiqued by others, this way we can see different approaches to problem solving(great learning experience). I like it.

Thanks! I really think this would bring a whole new twist to the site. I mean, i'm always looking for programming projects to do, and sometimes i can't think of anything. But this would get rid of that. And also, as you said, it would be great because several people could post their code, and we could see different ways of doing things.

I really hope this idea gets considered =]

[JavaBean]

Quote:

I really hope this idea gets considered

Idea is very good and i don't want to tell again that i was already planning to do it some time later . But i think the income of the forum is not good enough to give away good enough rewards at this stage.

May be we can try finding sponsors for the challenge but again we should find someone (anyone experienced?) to convince the sponsors. Of course the challenge is advantageous for the sponsors. But i am not experienced/talented on finding/convincing sponsors.

A few other questions that we need to answer are:

- What can be the reasonable reward for the challenge?
- What kind of challenge? Will it require developing documentation (e.g. best tip, best tutorial), developing code (e.g. most efficient, shortest), contributing to a open source project (similar to google's)...

Selecting the winner is not much difficult, we can have a poll for the members and members can select the best one. Or it can be a combination of member and sponsor or moderator choices..

[gibsonrocker800]

Well, JavaBean, it doesn't necessarily have to have a rewards system, it could just be for fun. I think many people would enjoy it.

[tim]

Hello everyone

It's a great idea, but there will be users that will see this as a "put your homework and assignments here" section. It could mean a lot more work for the moderators if this happens all the time. If the forums are willing to create a secure environment for enthusiastic members then it would be excellent.

[JavaBean]

Quote:

It could mean a lot more work for the moderators if this happens all the time.

That spam problem can be solved in some way. There are not much spam on the forum actually. We can also add a sticky thread to warn new users about the rules of challenge forum.

Quote:

Well, JavaBean, it doesn't necessarily have to have a rewards system, it could just be for fun. I think many people would enjoy it.

Hmm, then i fully support the idea. I can create a new forum called "Java Challenge" (I am open to better names for the forum) and all related discussions can go there.

Lets decide the form of the challenge. What kind of challenge does motivate you?

[tim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JavaBean

What kind of challenge does motivate you?

Well, for me and gibsonrocker800, game programming is the ultimate challenge. For gaming you will need graphics, mathematics, data structures, networking, polymorphism, data base connectivity and more. So it really tests the skill(s) of the challengers. I'm certain that there will be members who have different taste. Maybe JavaBean can create a poll for use to decide on a suitable challenge. Here could be a list:

1. gaming programs
2. communication solutions
3. business solutions
4. mathematical systems
5. scientific programs
6. learning aids

I hope this sparked an idea.

[gibsonrocker800]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim

Well, for me and gibsonrocker800, game programming is the ultimate challenge. For gaming you will need graphics, mathematics, data structures, networking, polymorphism, data base connectivity and more. So it really tests the skill(s) of the challengers. I'm certain that there will be members who have different taste. Maybe JavaBean can create a poll for use to decide on a suitable challenge. Here could be a list:

1. gaming programs
2. communication solutions
3. business solutions
4. mathematical systems
5. scientific programs
6. learning aids

I hope this sparked an idea.

Great idea man. There will be a bunch of different sections for different types of challenges, including the ones you listed, and more.

[dimitrist]

I would love to see in this forum a Section that would have exercises from the "Administrators" That anyone could be join and make his own code for this exercise. I think it could help many of us if we think more and write some code more.