How about a challenge section?
 

Along with the sections on Show Off Existing Project and all that, why not have a section called challenges were we can post a problem for the rest of us to solve and comment on each others approach to a challenge (not doing someone elses homework or a question about how to do something). For example: write a prime number generator in the smallest program possible.

Re: How about a challenge section?
 

"You must spread some reputation around before giving it to Grich again." ;)

Heh. That's funny... I was just planning on starting a "Sane's Weekly Challenge" thread sort-of-thing, where I'd propose three algorithm challenges of varying difficulties (simple/advanced/challenger), that shouldn't take any more than 10-30 minutes to accomplish, each week.

I like the notion, but I'm not sure if it's suitable to have an entire forum for challenges. I'd say extend the Algorithms and Design forum to include this idea. That would also help with expanding what is one of the smallest forums on PFO.

Re: How about a challenge section?
 

One of the forums I used to visit (cpp-home.com, I haven't been there in a couple years now) had competitions like this as well. It might be fun to try, though judging results (if we want rankings) may require some dedicated time by someone...

Re: How about a challenge section?
 

The QB forum, where I was born, had a compition catagory. Some really good programs came from there. The two that come to mind are pathfinding and one button games.

Re: How about a challenge section?
 

Jimbo brings up a good point, how would we judge the best if we want ranks.
Maybe we could have a poll after the challenge dead line has past or something.

Re: How about a challenge section?
 

i like the idea.

A few questions come to mind, what language should the challenges be? i propose that we adapt either a multiple language answer submission in other words, contestants would be able to use their language of choice. The other option is that the person opening the thread specifies which language should be used.

What is everyones thoughts on this?

I also think that it should be important not to rank anyone except the winner (the winner being the person with the best solution).

Re: How about a challenge section?
 

In general, solutions are ranked by their ability to solve large and tricky test files of inputted data related to the task. Mine will be non-competitive, and explained in detail, when I start my thread.

Re: How about a challenge section?
 

It would be great to have the challenge open to multiple languages. Then we can see a wider variety of ways to solve the challenge, as well as showing good examples of the strengths/weaknesses of each language.

Re: How about a challenge section?
 

Im with mocker, having it open to multiple languages if not all means everyone can get involved. It doesn't have to be ranked in my opinion, i just think it would provide little things for people to do and as someone who can never find a small program to do i think it is a great idea.

The fact that people can compare the results from different languages is very nice. I also feel that with it being open to so many people the different programming techniques displayed by different people could prove invaluable to people.

Chris

Re: How about a challenge section?
 

I have always liked that idea of having programming challenges, and if they are not competitive then I see it as being a really great idea. Not that competitive ones are bad, just harder since you would need someone to judge them. But challenges in general don't need to be judged, so I think that is a great idea.