Harta's blog

Codeforces Alpha Round #20 (Codeforces format)
By Harta, 15 years ago, In English
So the contest and fun are over. I can give some FAQ that I encountered during the contest.
1. To compete in this contest, you need to have flash player.
2. Contestants are assigned to several rooms
3. There are several tasks with different points. The points keep decreasing over time.
4. You can submit many solutions before you lock your code. After you have locked your code, you could not submit anymore, even though you are hacked. If you haven't locked your code, you can still submit although you are hacked.
5. If you have locked your code, you are allowed to hack other's solution in your room.
  • Vote: I like it
  • +19
  • Vote: I do not like it

Comments Comments (17)
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15 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it
Why this hacking system is being used for contest??
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  • 15 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +6 Vote: I do not like it
    Well, I personally like this system. I found it interesting. This is the most interesting and challenging competition that I have ever competed in. You can gain points not only from the problems you solved, but also by  hacking other's code. This can improve not only coding skills but also accuracy. Well, this is my opinion, Mike might have his own opinion :). One suggestion: I think the number of participants(20 coders) in a room is too few. 30 coders might be better.
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    • 15 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it
      It's really hard sometimes to watch 29 solutions of some problem. 20 coders per room should be enough.
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      • 15 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it
        We'll see it later, when the problems will be harder and with less solutions submitted.
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15 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it
When you lock your code, you lock all problems or only one?
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  • 15 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it
    Only one.
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    • 15 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it
      Cool =), that makes it even more interesting.
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    • 15 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +1 Vote: I do not like it
      Also, can you lock a problem without submitting a solution? What about submitting but without getting it accepted?
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      • 15 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it
        >What about submitting but without getting it accepted?
        you will get 0 for that task
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        • 15 years ago, # ^ |
            Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it
          ups..
          >What about submitting but without getting it accepted?
          After final grading: you will get 0
          During the contest: there is pretest for a problem, so your code are tested with some test cases, if you don't get it accepted, you can still submit and get points.
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          • 15 years ago, # ^ |
              Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it
            I know that part, what I want to know if it it's possible to lock a problem without getting it accepted with the pretests.
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            • 15 years ago, # ^ |
                Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it
              I had read the rules thoroughly and to my understanding, you must submit your code and get it accepted in the pretest, then you are given alternative to hack other's code.
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      • 15 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it
        This part is the answer for your question:
        you can translate this part:

        После того как вы сдали задачу (т.е. отослали решение, которое прошло все претесты) в текущем положении участников вам начисляют баллы за эту задачу. Формулы я описал выше. Теперь у вас есть альтернатива — в том случае, если вы уверены в своем решении, то можете заблокировать эту задачу для себя. Если вы заблокировали задачу, то больше не сможете перепослать ее ни при каких обстоятельствах. С другой стороны у вас появляется интересная возможность взлома чужих решений участников из вашей комнаты.

        I used google translate. Hope it works for you too
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        • 15 years ago, # ^ |
            Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it
          That part is quoted from the original rule
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          • 15 years ago, # ^ |
              Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it
            Thanks for the rules, I had fun reading them, specially the "(epic fail)". After reading that, the format looks really interesting. When will be the first public contest with this format?
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            • 15 years ago, # ^ |
                Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it
              I don't know, the next contest with this format has not been scheduled yet.
              Codeforces Alpha Round #20 (Codeforces format) is for public, but limited for first 60 registrants, because it's still new and not rated.
              well, just wait and be prepared :D
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      • 15 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it
        You need to submit the problem, and it needs to pass "pretests"
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