I was just wondering how many gamedev.net members were also programming athletes competing against the clock for the title of topcoder. I only competed once more than half a decade ago when I only knew the basics of C++. They also let you compete in C#, VB, and Python. So if you are a programmer have you ever been to topcoder.com? And Veteran programmers would you suggest this site to programmers who have learned the ins and outs of one of the programming languages. I like to visit their practice rooms myself and look at past competition problems and solutions. I do not think I am ready to compete. I am relearning C++ after years of not programming (I really did not know C++ back then). So if you program check out the site. http://www.topcoder.com/tc

Lounge material.

Those sites have very little to do with languages. You can be the best C++ coder - it won't help you.

That said, there is one reason to compete there: google.

Get high rank on TopCoder, then compete in CodeJam. Be among top 20(or 10) finalists there. Voila. And it's not *that* hard to accomplish that, as long as you have that coder mojo, and as long as you're up to date with algorithmic theory, just solving two of five problems is enough, time is irrelevant.

Other than that, it won't teach you many useful skills, since quick coding of obscure algorithmic solutions is something that is surprisingly irrelevant in real world. Places that do require such knowledge will also require PhD in math or finance. Software factories have increasingly less need for this type of developers.

It can help in future, but it may also intimidate a lot of employers, or just put them off due to what is perceived as conflict between computer science and software engineering.

And large portion of today's development could simply not be further detached from CS. In most circles today, knowing what binary tree is makes one a programming god. Multiple gods, if you can actually use console.

I guess I won a couple TopCoder competitions some years back. A few companies do hire based on that stuff, but basically it's a really stupid and artificial mode of competition with no relevance to real programming. Then again, Olympic martial arts share a similar relationship with real combat. It's not that TopCoder can't be fun and productive in its own right, but I got bored of it after a while. It's just too divorced from real development.

Quote: Original post by Promit
I guess I won a couple TopCoder competitions some years back. A few companies do hire based on that stuff, but basically it's a really stupid and artificial mode of competition with no relevance to real programming. Then again, Olympic martial arts share a similar relationship with real combat. It's not that TopCoder can't be fun and productive in its own right, but I got bored of it after a while. It's just too divorced from real development.

The algorithm competitions have gotten very focused on, well, algorithms. I agree that this is becoming less relevant to actual development. If I need an algorithm at work, I'll tend to look it up. E.g. there's a solid base of stuff that's actually useful(binary trees, hash tables, search algorithms, etc), and then there's the stuff you need to know to solve a 1000 pointer, which you will probably never ever use unless you're doing research.

However, the site is absolutely awesome for building experience at writing unbreakable code really fast, and would definitely recommend it.

I figured it to be a learning site, not a overwhelmingly competition/hiring site.

its an excellent site if you love problem solving.As others have said, its not akin to doing large projects, but I enjoy solving puzzles and problems so its perfect for me.

Link to sites similar to TopCoder

Past threads on similar subject:

• Site w/Code Challenges
  
• Sites every beginner should visit
  
• Algorithmic challenges for the GameDev worthy
  
• Sheep19's original

edit: added more links, I remembered

[Edited by - Alpha_ProgDes on December 15, 2009 12:29:56 PM]

I've done some topcoder stuff myself with a few friends from the university I went to. The lower ranks are fun and chatty. I really enjoyed them. The mid ranks it gets a bit too focused on winning the competition rather than solving problems. Developing a "cut and paste" library, learning languages as a shortcut, etc.

I think Promit's Olympic martial arts analogy is spot on. High rank martial arts are all about developing a 90mph roundhouse that does nothing except help win martial art contests.