AlexSkidanov's blog

MemSQL announces the start[c]up
By AlexSkidanov, 12 years ago, In English

MemSQL is happy to announce start[c]up -- a programming competition, hosted by Codeforces and MemSQL HQ located in San Francisco, California. start[c]up consists of two rounds.

All rounds will be prepared by MemSQL engineers: pieguy, nika, exod40, SkidanovAlex and dolphinigle.

Round 1 is online and takes place on July 13. Round 1 follows regular Codeforces rules and consists of 5 problems. For this round, the complexity of the problems will be comparable to a regular Codeforces round. There are no eligibility restrictions to participate in the round.

Round 2 takes place on August 3, consists of 5 problems, and uses regular Codeforces rules. The complexity of the problems is higher than a regular Codeforces round. Only people who finished in the top 500 in Round 1 can participate. The top 100 in round 2 will receive a start[c]up T-shirt.

For the Silicon Valley residents, MemSQL will be hosting up to 25 people on-site during the second round. The winner of the on-site round will be awarded a special prize.

MemSQL is building an in-memory database that powers many well-known companies, such as Morgan Stanley and Zynga. Nearly half of our engineers are TopCoder Open Algorithm finalists in recent years, and we have more IOI and ICPC medals than we have engineers.

The reason for such a skew towards topcoders is that only very good engineers can build a database. Even though topcoders might not have skills necessary to build a database, they are known to be very smart. We’ve seen that smart coders can quickly acquire necessary skills, but average coders, regardless of experience, cannot learn to be smart.

We have lots of exciting problems for topcoders. For example SQL Query optimizer, cluster management for the distributed system, lockfree storage engine were all written by topcoders in here. If you are looking for an internship or for a full-time position and want to work on exciting stuff with people who are as smart as yourself, send your resume to [email protected].

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Comments Comments (34)
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12 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +70 Vote: I do not like it

I'm really impressed with so many high-rated engineers in MemSQL!

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    12 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it -25 Vote: I do not like it

    nearly half of their engineers is TCO finalist, IOI and ICPC medals, well... that explains it

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12 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +85 Vote: I do not like it

"nobody reads tags"

nice try.

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12 years ago, # |
← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it -97 Vote: I do not like it

Думаю, довольно много участников будут на IOI в Австралии. И отборочный раунд будет в день отъезда, так что учавствовать они не смогут, а в принципе на IOI лучшие кодеры сврей страны. Не стоило бы перенести дату?

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    12 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +5 Vote: I do not like it

    Во-первых: IOI с 6 по 13-ое июля, не так ли?
    Во-вторых: в остальных так было бы больше шансов заработать футболку.

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      12 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +38 Vote: I do not like it

      Я бы начал с того, что по-русски надо писать в русских комментариях, а продолжил тем, что утверждение о том, что на IOI находятся лучшие кодеры от каждой страны, мягко говоря, очень сильно натянуто.

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        12 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it +11 Vote: I do not like it

        Порядка 100 человек, которые могут показать хорошие результаты + люди, которые приезжают в качестве гостей — порядка 10 человек, которые могут показать ОЧЕНЬ хорошие результаты. Пренебрегать такой аудиторией как-то нехорошо.

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          11 years ago, # ^ |
            Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

          Ну да, я и не спорю с тем, что такие даты соревнования имеют определённые минусы. Я только заметил, что насчёт лучших — это грубое преувеличение.

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12 years ago, # |
← Rev. 3   Vote: I like it -33 Vote: I do not like it

We’ve seen that smart coders can quickly acquire necessary skills, but average coders, regardless of experience, cannot learn to be smart.

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12 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it -46 Vote: I do not like it

"We’ve seen that smart coders can quickly acquire necessary skills, but average coders, regardless of experience, cannot learn to be smart."

Define "smart". Define "average". And then please also explain with data points where "average" developers weren't able to learn to be smart in spite of experience, practice, and persistence.

I am hoping the quoted statement was written with no ill intentions, but it is a very offensive statement.

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    12 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it -8 Vote: I do not like it

    I totally agree, we can not tag people by words like "smart" and..., what we should really value is passion for learning and the effort

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      12 years ago, # ^ |
      ← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

      it seems like the author of this blog doesn't value the passion for learning and judging from what he wrote, he was never an "average" coder but an expert from the start.

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12 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it -30 Vote: I do not like it

We’ve seen that smart coders can quickly acquire necessary skills, but average coders, regardless of experience, cannot learn to be smart.

that doesn't make any sense.

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12 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +20 Vote: I do not like it

How will you select the 25 Silicon Valley residents? Is it just the top 25 Silicon Valley residents from round 1?

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    12 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

    Yes, top 25 people from Round 1, who are in the Silicon Valley as of August, 3rd.

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12 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +15 Vote: I do not like it

The Round 1 is the day I'll be moving from Australia to Japan by IOI. It's unlucky to me:( I hope there'll be a round next year,too(I'm hasty)

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12 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +9 Vote: I do not like it

I want to participate, but I will be on the airplane at the time of round 1 start I think...

I think many participant of IOI want to participate it, but participating on the plane is impossible and illegal...

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    12 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +32 Vote: I do not like it

    Several airlines provide internet access onboard — Aeroflot and Lufthansa among others

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      12 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +12 Vote: I do not like it

      wow, interesting!

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      12 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +6 Vote: I do not like it

      free of charge?

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        12 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it +12 Vote: I do not like it

        No (through some do when introduscing technology during testing period), but prices are usually quite reasonable (well, not for Aeroflot)

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11 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it -26 Vote: I do not like it

Time is too late (it's 2230 in India) for both the rounds, would have been better if 2hrs earlier.

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    11 years ago, # ^ |
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    Otherwise it will be very early in California so time is good.

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    11 years ago, # ^ |
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    well,good time for everyone is impossible. The organizer is American company,so there's no choice other than this time providing that Europeans can participate.

    to be sure, multiple qualification round is better (like Yandex) but the schedule is decided. I also wish I could participate...

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11 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +2 Vote: I do not like it

will Round1 be rated? if yes, for which division?

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11 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +16 Vote: I do not like it

Has anyone received their T-shirt yet?

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    11 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +5 Vote: I do not like it

    They got stuck at the customs on the way to the person in Russia who was going to send them over :( We are doing all we can to resolve this issue asap. If we can't get it through, we will just try to send him another batch, or try to send them to the individual people ourselves from here.

    I apologize for such a big delay.

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    11 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

    I have not received my t-shirt too.

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11 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

Got my t-shirt in Dolgoprudny too. Thanks.

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10 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it -27 Vote: I do not like it

Can people in div 2 participate in this contest and be qualified for round 2 if they come in top 500 ??

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10 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it -22 Vote: I do not like it

Is the round rated for div2 contestants ?

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