[Inpycon] [PyCon 2013] Programming Challenges, Hackathons & Sprints, in Python at PyCon

[me kracekumar]

Why I feel algorithm solving doesn't help community?

1. Algorithm problems aren't interesting for everyone. It feeds
intellectual hunger. Why should I come to pycon india to do that when I can
do it online?

2. How does solving algorithm help python community in india? If more
people using python is the answer, then there are different easier ways to
achieve the same goal.


On Jul 8, 2013 11:16 AM, "pranjal mittal" <mittal.pranjal at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> [Algorithmic Sprint at PyCon - Discussion / Details : Lets call it
"PyCode 2013"]
>
> I agree with @Noufal that Online competitions do have good internet
connection as a bottleneck. But many colleges, & even small college
departments are running Algorithmic competitions on-line successfully. So,
I think it doesn't take much in giving a nice Algorithmic Challenge a try.
> It works out best, if it can be managed by some volunteer or a company
with a strong history in hosting such competitions. The competition can
strongly associate itself with PyCon India 2013 and Python should be the
de-facto programming language for this. (ie. Only Python solutions accepted)
> It would be a great way to learn and compete using Python.
>
> Merits:
> PyCon India 2013 reaches out to more people than who actually attend it.
> Python becomes more popular as a language in solving algorithmic
problems,also in campus interviews,etc
>
> How to host such a competition:
>
> It is not so hard to manage such a competition. Even teams of 2-3 people
at college-departments are able to host such algorithmic competitions
during technical festivals; so for the number of volunteers PyCon has seen
this should not be hard.
> I would love to do it personally, but already have too much
responsibilities in hand, (have also volunteered in PyCon for other bit).
Nevertheless, I can help setting up new problems and testing solutions if
such a competition is hosted. I would need helping hands for arranging for
such competition with partner organizations by talking to them and there
could be a need for more problem setters too.
>
> Just as an example: Codechef offers simple guidelines on how non-profit
organizations can host your their competition (without any cost)
> http://www.codechef.com/hostyourcontest/apply/
> Its just an example. There are more possibilities. Problem setters can
restrict challenges to particular languages, set time limits (Option
offered by most programming portals)
>
>
> Encouraging Students, Programmers - Prizes:
> PyCon India 2013 Smart-Coder Award / Certificate, T-Shirts can be awarded
to people who lead such a competition, prizes can be shipped to winners.
(Might need logistic / shipping partner companies for that)
> I think a Logistics / Shipping partner would be required for more stuff
too (Or not)?
> Don't know much on this side. But if anyone can help in here would be
great.

I would be happy to give away prize to few individuals or college students
who fixes a bug in open source projects like Flask, Django or core python
which gets merged to upstream, helps the community growth and individual
contribution to the community. This creates better community where there is
a motivation for open source contributors. For example In algorithm
challenge 30 people try to solve 3 algorithm problem, but if 30 people try
to fix 10 bugs atleast or add new feature to open source project there is
more measurable value for community.

One use case for conducting algorithm or problem solving session in pycon
is where sponsors want to hire. Here volunteers tie with business to make
the process easier.

I would love to here a talk how to solve algorithm problems with python
effectively with tips like using itertools etc..

>
>
> Best Regards,
> - Pranjal
>
> P.S:
> Maybe, I will write something more formally on this soon, giving further
details on how to well organize such an event.
>
>
>
>
> On Mon, Jul 8, 2013 at 10:09 AM, Noufal Ibrahim <noufal at nibrahim.net.in>
wrote:
>>
>> Sayan Chowdhury <sayan.chowdhury2012 at gmail.com> writes:
>>
>> >>
>> >> Secondly, there could be some nice algorithmic challenges during PyCon
>> >> itself, that would be interesting for school and college students.
Since
>> >> its PyCon, the only allowed language could be Python. Such challenges
could
>> >> be created with Spoj [2] or Codechef [3], etc
>> >>
>> >
>> > HackerEarth[1] can conduct the online based algorithmic challenges
during
>> > the PyCon.
>> >
>> > [1] http://www.hackerearth.com/
>>
>> Online things usually depend on a solid internet connection. We always
>> try to get this right but its a problem with too many variables and
>> hence prone to be a disaster.
>>
>> --
>> Cordially,
>> Noufal
>> http://nibrahim.net.in
>> _______________________________________________
>> Inpycon mailing list
>> Inpycon at python.org
>> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/inpycon
>
>
>
>
> --
> Best Regards,
> Pranjal Mittal
> B.Tech.  2014
> Indian Institute of Technology,BHU
> Varanasi, U.P,
> India
>
> GITHUB | LINKEIN | BLOG
>
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>
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