Future Contests - your suggestions

[stuart]

I think the pros should have the same nature as ours only a lot harder because logic is not PHP-specific. As some in this forum may agree, puzzles don't require you to be an advanced PHP programmer, you just have to know a little and a strong logic.

Your totally right about this, although you could argue that its how the puzzle is programmed that counts. But to be honest I think its the puzzle solving that some people enjoy.
I'm looking into some new ideas for contests that involve both logic and advanced knowledge of PHP and not based around just puzzles, but also have a fun element.
But one think that shines through is the advanaced programmers dont seem to want to tackle everyday concepts (as thats what they do at work) - so I need to keep a fun and challenge element there.

[jorgen]

Stuart,

With a 'usefull' app I mean a reallife application. Such as a Forum, a Newsscript or a CMS system. I programm those applications every day, so I'd love to programm something else, something like puzzles.

BTW Thinking logic is not enough, one also needs very good programming skills to translate the algorithm to a working script. Making the algorithm is not the most difficult part, but making the fastest script is a difficult job.

How do one judges a Forum or a Newsscript? What are the criterias for winning? Who winns and why? Why is one Forum better than an other? Do you get my point now? ops:

[stuart]

Stuart,

With a 'usefull' app I mean a reallife application. Such as a Forum, a Newsscript or a CMS system. I programm those applications every day, so I'd love to programm something else, something like puzzles.

Yes, I know - I program these type of thinks for a living also - and I dont mean to have 'useful app' like this in the advanced contests. But I do intend having varied contests that involve puzzles to an extent but may also cover more.

BTW Thinking logic is not enough, one also needs very good programming skills to translate the algorithm to a working script. Making the algorithm is not the most difficult part, but making the fastest script is a difficult job.

Your right - its the fastest script that counts.

How do one judges a Forum or a Newsscript? What are the criterias for winning? Who winns and why? Why is one Forum better than an other? Do you get my point now? ops:

Well you could argue it personal preference on this type of thing - but I do intend to judge on a number of things like compatability, use of PHP (code reuse etc), features (useful features that have value), and ease of use (usability).

Cheers,
Stuart

[wjensen]

I completely agree that the contest shouldn't be "useful," or if it is a useful app it should be something relatively short, but requiring some sort of clever programming. I entered this contest because it sounded like fun. The beginner's contest sounds like work. I have enough work to do, both for my employer and my own projects.

I wrote my program for this contest in a couple of hours, but I spent probably twice as long tweaking the code and doing everything I could to optimize it and get timing data, etc. I think that requires a lot of PHP-specific knowledge, so I think puzzles are still apropriate for advanced PHP programmers. I actually learned a lot about PHP in the process, too. For instance, I learned that pointer dereferencing in PHP is really slow.

As for contest suggestions, the only one I can think of is one that one of my computer science professors did in C++. He wrote a clone of Risk, then the students were assigned to write a computerized player that interfaced with the Risk program. The players then play against each other in a tournament. I personally didn't like this contest, but most of the other people in my class did.

[tynu]

So, you all say that is not fun to develop a useful application? I think that you forget about the 'open source comunity'. They don't solve puzzles... and they are pros.

[glassJAw]

i can state my view, if someone is interested in it:

at my work, i have to code useful apps everyday
if this contest's goal would have been a useful app, i wouldn't have participated.

it's really refreshing, to tweak one week on 100 lines of code in order to solve one little puzzle :roll:

[jassh]

hi there everyone..
hope you guys are in greatest of health

here's my opinion:

1. Do you think we should have 2 contests like this?

- Well, yeah.. 2 contest separation for pro's and beginners would be great coz it give chances to people who are just starting to learn (or enjoy) the programming language (like me ) more exposure and pump up their morale as well. Honestly, i learn a lot from this contest myself, and i think it's a very darn good learning tool also.. y'know, real life appz..
It's also fun coz there's this 'competing with others' element in it. I'd say, stick with 2 contest..

2. What other type of prizes would you like to see?

- i'd say, a cool graphic card [a game addict wishlist :P]
but seriously, a couple of very good books would be nice,
since even pros do need to get refrences from time to time..
other than that, i'd say the prizes that are currently offered
is more that what i can wish for

3. Would you like to see more prizes (first, second, third place)?

- yeah... but i'm sure that requires more sponsors.. but still, it'll make everyone a little bit happier, with the odds being a lil less that what it use to be.

4. Is 4 weeks long enough?

- 4 weeks..!!! i wish i had more time.. but it's great to work within a good recomended time frame..
as 4 weeks would be just nice for anybody to develop a nice appz.
and it also give people like myself who dont go online to often
(cost issue..) to just in time find out about this contest and participate in the nick of time... ( i found out sumwhere about two weeks after the contest started, and i got a one week bonus )

lastly, good luck to all current and future contestant,
and good luck 2 php-editors.com (Mr. Stuart and friends) in organizing future contest...

thanks a lot..
take care...

cheers;
-jassh

[TomVu]

4 weeks is too long. It should be more like a few days. Also, maybe submitting your contest code prior to the deadline and then php-editors displaying the current leader (if testing is objective). This would allow people to see the leading code and fix it up and then submit their own version, continually enhancing the code. Prizes could be given as best of day1, best of day2, and so on. Different development strategies may unfold such as postponing submission until the very end, etc.

[Toji Moreau]

4 weeks is too long. It should be more like a few days. Also, maybe submitting your contest code prior to the deadline and then php-editors displaying the current leader (if testing is objective). This would allow people to see the leading code and fix it up and then submit their own version, continually enhancing the code. Prizes could be given as best of day1, best of day2, and so on. Different development strategies may unfold such as postponing submission until the very end, etc.

I think that's too costly.

[cagrET]

Contests are great, i love them ;-)