Technical questions

- May I use global or static variables?
   Only if they are declared const.  No computed information is to be kept between runs of your solution.
- May I use switch statements and/or look-up tables?
   NO! That is strictly forbidden! We want to see how your algorithm works, but not to see you entered the results! You can create look-up tables during your algorithm is doing its job, but you can't have it entered! Also, you can use switch statements as a help, but not as only and final solution (for example, to enter the results inside).
- May I create helper functions?
   Yes. You can create your own functions. But have in mind, that we will invoke the function that is given as a prototype. So, if you do not have it, or it is different, we won't accept your code.
- May I create helper classes?
   Yes.
- What language should I send my solution in?
   C# Only.
- What compiler do you use?
   Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003
- May I write a compile-time algorithm (like template meta-programming) to solve the problem?
   No, unless the contest specifically allows it.  We want to see the
run-time complexity of your algorithm, and compile-time shortcuts is
considered cheating.
- May I use unsafe code?
   No, you can't.
- May I use functions from the .NET Framework references?
   Yes, you can.

 

Submission

- Do I have to register an account or pay anything?
   It is free, and you don't need to waste your time with registration forms!
- Should I send you the code or the .exe file?
   Only code!
- Should my code have the main() function?
   No! Only the function(s) that solve the given problem!
- Should I comment my code?
   It is not necessary.  You're free to comment your code, as the winning solution will be published.
- How and where do I send my solution?
   Send it to the provided e-mail address (in the concrete contest). Please, send your function as an attachment, into .txt file!
- If I find mistake in my code, may I re-submit?
   Yes. Up to 3 times though! Your last submission will be used for the tests.
- At what hour does the contest end?
   At 19:00h GMT time, on the given date.
- May I send my function after that?
   No. We won't accept it!

Tests & Results

- What does "Optimize for: speed" mean?
   It means that the fastest and correct working solution will be the winner. This means you have to optimize your code so it performs as fast as possible, but in the same time, your solution must return correct results on all tests.
- At what PC you run the tests?
   Intel Centrino Core Duo 1.66GHz, 1GB RAM
- When are the results published?
   We will try to publish the results a day or two after the contest has ended.
- How do I know if the results has been published?
   We will e-mail you, once the results are published. You will receive future instructions in the e-mail. In case you don't receive e-mail from us in several days after the contest deadline, please visit the main page for more information.
- What if I find out that you have made a mistake?
   Mistakes happen, so, if you find that out, please e-mail us, and we will re-test your code, and update the results.
- What do I win, if I am a winner?
   If you become winner for 3 times, in the intermediate contests, we will send you special charp-home.com certificate (via snail mail), personally signed by the site's owner- Ilia Yordanov. This certificate will be a plus for you, when you look for a new job!
- May I submit my own tests?
   Yes. Feel free to send them to our e-mail address, specified in the concrete contest.
- What compiler settings will you use?
   If the goal of the contest is to optimize for speed, we will compile
with full optimizations.  Otherwise, no compiler settings are guaranteed
unless specifically mentioned in the problem.
- Will you be publishing the tests for each contest?
   Yes, tests will be published among with the results of the contest, but not earlier.



If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask us at support@csharp-home.com