Topcoder: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 09:03, 18 March 2004

Revision as of 00:47, 7 April 2004

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A '''topcoder''' is a high-quality [[programmer]] or (especially if spelled "TopCoder") one who competes in online programming contests at [http://www.topcoder.com topcoder.com]. Alternatively, ''TopCoder'' is used to refer to the company of that name, which hosts the contest.

TopCoder has been hosting algorithm competitions since 2001... stubEach contest consists of four phases:

* '''Coding phase''' (75 minutes) - Coders write programs to solve three short problems using C++, Java, C#, or Visual Basic. Each problem set consists of an easy, medium, and hard question, the difficulty of which is reflected in each problem's point value.

In each contest there are four phases:

coding phase -- 75 minutes

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* '''Intermission''' (5 minutes) - After the coding phase ends, there is a short break before the challenge phase begins. This time can be used to test submitted solutions and think of challenge cases.

intermission -- 5 minutes

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* '''Challenge phase''' (15 minutes) - Coders can challenge the submitted problems of other participants in their room by constructing test cases in an attempt to generate erroneous output. The challenger receives points for a successful challenge, and loses points for an unsuccessful challenge.

challenge phase -- 15 minutes

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* '''System test phase''' - Each problem that survives through the challenge phase is run on many diverse test cases. Coders are awarded points for problems that pass all test cases, based on the speed and difficulty of problems solved. At the end of the contest, ratings are updated to incorporate each participating coder's performance.

system test phase -- as long as it takes

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TheyTopCoder used to give out money every week to [[coders]] who did well in the competitions (weekly algorithm competitions, are called SRMs --or Single Round Matches (SRMs), in a business model that seemed paradoxically brilliant. SRMs are now sponsored by outside companies such as [[Google]] and [[Yahoo!]], and prizemoneyprize money is not awarded except for twice a year to winners and finalists of the TopCoder Collegiate Challenge (TCC, which is in the spring) and the TopCoder Open (formerly the Invitational, which is in the fall).

They used to give out money every week to [[coders]] who did well in the competitions (weekly algorithm competitions are called SRMs -- Single Round Matches), in a business model that seemed paradoxically brilliant. SRMs are now sponsored by outside companies such as [[Google]] and [[Yahoo!]], and prizemoney is not awarded except for twice a year to winners and finalists of the TopCoder Collegiate Challenge (TCC, which is in the spring) and the TopCoder Open (formerly the Invitational, which is in the fall).

The business plan behind topcoder.com is actually rather interesting. One goal is to be a sort of recruitment center where companies can come and find programmers who are proven to be highly skilled. Another aim is to be an outsourcing center: TopCoder also hosts design and development competitions in which coders can compete to solve real world problems that third parties have contracted for.