a challenge for C experts

[Alexander Rhatushnyak]

Are you a C expert?
If so, please take this small amusing challenge!

1. You dare to take the challenge by sending an email to
gralic1 {at} gmail dot com. The e-mail must contain a link
to your LinkedIn profile (and/or encode.su profile) and the following statement:
"I agree not to disclose neither the challenge details, in whole
or in part, nor the results list details, in whole or in part."
Also, you must state whether you want to get the results list
(in this case your name and result will be added to the list)
or to avoid being listed, in this case the response will contain
one of these three words: Less, Equal, Greater
meaning you<record, you==record, you>record.
In both cases you can disclose this word.

2. The challenge description and comments are sent to you.
Comments will state in which case you are welcomed to the club,
including the LinkedIn group, http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=4264441
Your have 24 hours to complete the challenge and respond.
Though an ultimate C expert can complete it in no more than
an hour, it's clear that you don't want to hurry and make mistakes.

3. The response is sent to you within 24 hours (most likely much less).
It's either a word or the list with your name and result added.
Only members can view the results list:
you can always request it by e-mail, not more than once per week.
Once you are in, and even if you aren't,
you are welcome to invite your friends, acquaintances, and colleagues!

[Piotr Tarsa]

Could you tell if it's strictly about knowing C low-level language tricks or it's about some high-level clever algorithms?

[Alexander Rhatushnyak]

It's both, but you can complete each half from scratch in 30 minutes or so
if you have a few years of experience with C.
I'd say it's also about experimenting.

[Alexander Rhatushnyak]

The record was improved today.
Now I am pretty sure even super-experts like Matt M and Eugene S
won't be able to beat the current record

[biject.bwts]

Maybe they don't want to. Why would anyone

"I agree not to disclose neither the challenge details, in whole
or in part, nor the results list details, in whole or in part."

subject them selves to that for no reason?

[Piotr Tarsa]

David:
Are you paranoid? Those are standard rules for competitions, especially time limited ones. How would you filter out experts if you allow people to communicate about competition details?

[m^2]

I also didn't like the rules and this was a major reason not to take part. I don't know what are your standards, Piotr, but I'm totally with Dave here.

I don't know what do you mean by:

How would you filter out experts if you allow people to communicate about competition details?

Filter out? I thought the challenge was meant for experts.
Anyway, I don't see what communication has with filtering people.

[Piotr Tarsa]

Sorry for my English :P I've meant "select" or smth like that.

Anyway, I don't see what communication has with filtering people.

Well, if someone discloses the details, then people have much more than 24 hours to complete the test. I would be equal to leaking exam questions long before the exam starts.

As to results list - revealing someone's bad result could be amusing for him. Of course he may not care, but Alex opted for simple rules

I hope that I will not break the rules if I say that the challenge is some classical problem with weird technicalities added. I think there's nothing to be proud/ excited about except being invited to the group and/ or beating the record. But either situations are allowed to be revealed. And of course: completing the challenge independently.

For me the challenge was rather relaxing. No serious preparation was needed. I encourage you to take the challenge

BTW:
How to get into Data compression LinkedIn group? :]

[m^2]

Oh, I understand now.
Normally you deal with it by first making a list of participants and sending the test data to them all at the same time.
Otherwise one can first take part under a fake name and a couple of days later, with a well prepared solution, using the real identity.

[Matt Mahoney]

Yeah, If the contest and results are secret, then what's the point? Maybe you could sponsor a contest like http://acm.tju.edu.cn/toj/
There are usually several timed contests going on at any one time from a database of thousands of problems. You can submit your programs in several different languages.

[Alexander Rhatushnyak]

what's the point?

for no reason?

For experience, skills training and testing. For fun!