Hey guys, ive noticed the porgramming challenge forum has been closed for quite some time.
is it likely to be opened anytime ?
and what type of programming challenges are likely to be submitted there ?

Heh.. I want it to be opened too - but we need good challenges.. say for starters, we ask people to come up with specific algorithms to achieve a certain task (for example - an algorithm to make a knight move through the maximum positions on a board without repeating any square.. I know this is a very common problem, but something on the lines of this).. and then maybe provide us with a code snippet that demonstrates this algo... But the primary deterrent factor here is prizes.. which can either be cash (for which we'll need some sponsor) or .. easier way out is by offering a bunch of hosting credits.. In any case we'll have to make the challenges really challenging Or else, we end up handing out a whole lot of hosting credits for nothing.

I was wondering, what languages should we be using? Because using C++ has a huge advantage over java in terms of speed, (i'd reckon we are supposed to make the fastes algo's as possible). And also, how are we going to test every thing? Or should it be more theoretical, like describing the flow of the program?

Both theoretical aspects and the code demonstrations will be required. Whether its done in Java or C it really doesn't matter coz on most good systems these days Java bytecode runs equally fast. Besides, whatever is demonstrated in either language is easily portable to the other. So I think the option should be kept open for both - except for in specific cases where we can fix the langauge to be used.

When I first had this idea (keep in mind I was not the sole proponent of it) I was thinking we'd have some language based challenges, such as do x in C++ or do y in Java, and then we'd have some languageless contests, such as write the smallest fastest program to do z. I've also been thinking about the prizes: maybe we could offer a little extra storage space, maybe an extra 10Mb, instead of just hosting credits. That would give us a little variety, some credit contests, some space contests. For the unhosted members, we could have a formula to convert the space into credits. We could also make the space transferable in case the winner doesn't want hosting (although I wonder why they wouldn't).

Also, do posts in that forum result in credit boostage? Because it seems silly to reward credits when they get credits for posting their response.

And have we been actively looking for sponsors? I know there are a couple companies that sponsor programming challenges, maybe we could ask microsoft, google,yahoo, or colleges?

~Viz

Yeah sounds perfect. I've been thinking about involving some sponsor companies/colleges to offer some sort of a prize money. But have no idea how to go about it. Best not to involve tooo big brands, coz that might cause problems for asta later on - and obviously they'd want to force some sort of brand placement in here - which in turn may lead to legal hassles later on. Colleges sound good.. will also start drawing direct techie crowd from the college circuit here. lets see

Well, when my friend and I finally get our company off the ground (which will hopefully be in 1 to 2 years tops), I'm 100% certain we will be glad to offer prizes. It would build up a good rep with the astahost people, and it would allow the contests to get started, a plus all around. I'll keep looking for those programming contest people I saw before.

~Viz

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