ACM Programming Competition Prof. Tony White

What is it? Programming Competition –Uses Java, C++, C –Tests algorithmic knowledge –Working code required: reusability etc irrelevant Team-based –3 members, plus coach Held annually –2009, McMaster U., Hamilton – Winners go to international competition in March –2009 winners: Saint Petersburg State University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics

2010 Competition Logistics East Central North America region –Saturday, 23rd October 2010 at U. Windsor –Travel the day before, hotel Friday and Saturday –School + CCSS + Faculty support financially Competition Day –Teams have single computer 2 members work on solution, 1 member types –Solve maximum of 8 problems in 5 hours Skills –Problem selection –Problems test the identification of underlying algorithms as much as programming savvy and speed

2009? Full details at: – ACM-ECNA attracted 116 (92 competed) teams Waterloo placed 1st, solved 8 problems Carleton had 1 team: –Ravens Red, came 73 rd, solved 1 of 8 problems –Best finish (in last 5 years) 25th 80 teams solved at least 1 problem Top 10 teams solved 4 or more problems

Advice Solve easy problems –Efficiency isn’t the most important thing Learn algorithms Know your programming language –Standard APIs are available on the day –Code simply, don’t use obscure constructs –Make it easy to debug Practice, practice, practice … Remember, it’s a team event

Training Solve problems!

How do I get involved? Send me View announcements page – competition Read: – –I will post this Attend try-out(s): –Likely scheduled next week If selected, attend weekly team meeting –Practice problem solving

So, what do I get out of it? Assess CS skills in competition Meet students from other universities Improved knowledge Better problem solving skills Improved performance in CS courses

Team experiences …