Google and TopCoder are collaborating to offer Google Code Jam 2005, where the world’s top programmers compete for cash and recognition. With a prize purse at $155,000 (who picked this figure?), 100 participants from around the world will compete in the final rounds by solving programming problems and breaking each others code.
This Code Warrior competition is available in four programming languages – Java, C++, C#, and VB and the winner brings home $10,000 of the total purse. There are four phases to the Google Code Jam 2005 competition: Downloading the Arena, Coding Phase, Challenge Phase and System Tests.
The Arena is a Java Applet that one can download ahead of time to practice on sample problems before the start of competition. In the Coding Phase, participants enter the arena in groups of 10 and race to see who can deliver the most accurate solution in the shortest amount of time.
In the Challenge Phase, programmer try to break each other’s code. Points are given for successful attempts to break another programmer’s code and taken away for failed attempts.
At the end of the Challenge Phase, the System Test phase begins, which is an automated and objective test of the competitors’ work and the awarding of final points to the contestants.
According to Search Engine Journal, “Last year, more than 7,500 participants from more than 100 countries competed in the Google Code Jam. Sergio Sancho of Buenos Aires, Argentina was the winner of the 2004 competition, and Jimmy Mardell of Stockholm, Sweden, took home the grand prize in 2003.”
Google Code Jam 2005 registration begins July 25 and closes on August 19, 2005. Qualification rounds begin on August 22 and the Championship round of the final 100 participants is scheduled for September 23, 2005.
Google Code Jam 2005 is destined to rock the house down. Bring your Frisbee’s, beach balls and lighters to the Googleplex in Mountainview, California this Fall and watch out San Jose Jazz Festival, the Google Code Jam 2005 is coming to town.
