Future Contest Suggestions [Archive]

brad jones

Sep 27th, 2004, 01:36 PM

I suggest a contest that has the following objectives:

Create a program that detects graphic collisions. Stated another way, create a program that includes animation or movement of an object. When that object runs into another object, cause something to happen.

For example, a pong game. A dot in the pong game moves around. When it hits a line or edge, it deflects away.

Second example, Light bikes a dot moves on the screen leaving
a line behind it. the longer the program goes, the faster the dot moves. If the dot hits the edge of the screen the program stops. If the line hits itself, the program stops. Use the keyboard keys to let the user turn the line.

These are two very, very simple suggestions for the objective. Winner could be based on cleanliness of code and 'sexiness' of submission. Code must be orginal. Submitted code will be made public to anyone that wants to use it.

The fun of this suggestion is in the fact that people can take it as far as they want -- they can do some very creative things.

Just a thought.

RobDog888

Sep 27th, 2004, 01:43 PM

I copied/moved my post since we now have this one.

I got a good suggestion for another contest - GUI Design.

Give a list of required controls and basic functions for a form and
have the contestants come up with the control layout and
program the functionality? Totally creative, now one can copy,
winner can be judged on functionality and design. How about
that?

Merri

Sep 27th, 2004, 01:46 PM

Make a working simple voxel engine.

Voxel = 3D pixel. Basically a pixel that has a x, y and z -coordinates. How to come up with voxels is up to the creator of the program :) Voxels are rather heavy to process, so they'd be of a challenge.

brad jones

Sep 27th, 2004, 02:31 PM

I also suggest a contest to create a Web Service.

This one could be left pretty open so people could get real creative.

Remember - the idea is to have fun, but to also learn new stuff!

ntg

Sep 30th, 2004, 10:53 AM

Hi,

Personally, I'd prefer to see contests of what I'd call "semi-production" stuff, by that I mean projects that may turn out to be useful in the real world and be fun to code at the same time.

General ideas:

* Winform-related controls. Why winform ? Because the whole issue about ASP.NET although revolutionary is a bit overrated IMHO - plus everyone is putting out ASP controls but I feel that there is a shortage of simple and useful Winform controls.
* Web services, but not of the boring "A web service that returns the time" type. Something challenging and interesting would be nice here.
* VS Add-ins.
* .Net framework low-level stuff.
* DNN modules.

I won't go into specifics because everyone has a different perception about "neat" and "boring", I'm sure the ppl coming up with new contests will think of something.

Come to think of it, every single one of my general ideas is, more or less, related to .Net. OK, you can make a web service using the SOAP toolkit but there's no fun doing it. So I guess I'm a bit biased towards VB.Net...but then again, that's the future of VB whether we like it or not.

Cheers,
NTG

alkatran

Oct 2nd, 2004, 10:49 PM

Anything involving the submitted programs interacting (competing) in real time.

wossname

Oct 3rd, 2004, 09:21 AM

What about a MineSweeper solving program? I can write a .Net wrapper project if you want.

Electroman

Oct 6th, 2004, 05:17 PM

Sorry to keep too similar to the current contest already running but how about a cops & robber kinda thing. Using maps liek we've seen in the pathfinding we could have a load of "Cops" on a map and one "Robber", the score could be based on how long it takes the cops to catch the robber.

So each person would submit a Cop Code & a Robber Code. Then we would play people code against others. (This way the Cop code would manage all the cops so they could work as a team)

Or

We could do like i just said but each cop on the map is a different persons code and we see who catches the Robber first. This would have to be split into different matches because we couldn't put a cop in for every entry cos that could be too many depending on the amount of entries :).

P.S. The view wouldn't be as restricted as it has been in the Pathfinder one though :).

RobDog888

Oct 7th, 2004, 03:14 PM

If we did some kind of GUI design contest, could we have part of
the points come from Poll results? This would allow members to
be a part of the judging and it wouldn't be subjective to just a
few opinions?

:)

Merri

Oct 7th, 2004, 03:19 PM

I guess people here would be too likely to vote easily on people they like... :P

No, I don't trust you! Any of you!

RobDog888

Oct 7th, 2004, 05:14 PM

True, thats why it would only count for part of the overall points.
I thought it would eliminate some of the reactions like we had
from the Prime Number contest.

:D

Disiance

Oct 9th, 2004, 07:20 PM

Here's an idea: Find some 500 Pythagorean triples. (500 with none being a multiple of another e.g., 3,4,5 works, 2(3),2(4),2(5) wouldn't).

Disiance

BodwadUK

Oct 11th, 2004, 02:36 AM

A dance screen that dances to the music. There is some code in the API that allows you to get the sound buffer so you can read it in. I had problems early on because it didnt work with all soundcards. I wonder if its fixed now? :confused:

NotLKH

Oct 11th, 2004, 12:47 PM

Two Things:

I propose Challanges to be part of this forum.
And to kick it off, the first challange would be to create the next Largest Magical Hexagon than what was last achieved.

By Largest, there would be 2 considerations:

1) If the Last Largest Magical Hexagon had n rings, the next greatest would be one that has n+1 rings.

or

2) If the Last Largest Magical Hexagon had a magic number of k, whose ringcount was n, if someone submitted one with an identical ringcount, but whose mNum was Larger, then That would then be known as the Most Current Largest Magical Hexagon.

All Successful Achievements would remain posted.

Now, to get everybody's head warmed up, a contest could be a speed test, whereby entrents must return all 3 ring magical hexagons in the shortest amount of time.

Only 1 representative of each magical hexagon must be returned, ie... For each valid magical hexagon, there are 6 equivalent rotations, and for each rotation, there is a reflection. So, only 1 of those 12 variations must be returned.

Also, in the case of "Adds to 0", there exists several Magical Hexagons that aren't rotations or reflections, but are multiplicatively identical, *-1.

These, too, must be filtered out.

So, For the challange, I submit My 6 Ring as the initial "World's Largest Magical Hexagon".

And, for all who want, I've attached some reading material, 3 attachments, starting from this post:

http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=1810216#post1810216

:wave:
-How about it?
-Lou

StevenHickerson

Oct 11th, 2004, 12:59 PM

Ehh what the heck is a magical hexagon?

But anyway the point of my reply and my suggestion that relates to what NotLKH just posted. I think we should try to stay away from contests where people already have something for it and dont even have to do anything. One thing that makes it a contest is the time limit. Although so far its been more than enough it could proove to be a factor some time another. I dont think we should say well I have this project that does that so lets have a contest on it.

The Prime Numbers sort of showed this, it was already well known to some people and they had already nearly perfected methods of doing it. But that was just a trial contest so all was well :). The PathFinder was great because people actually had to work with something given so it was impossible for them to already have a working solution that just had to be trimmed and prepped.

Just my opinion :)

NotLKH

Oct 11th, 2004, 01:06 PM

Ummmh
I wouldn't be entering the contest aspect.
I guess I should have pointed that out.

I'm not interested in 3 rings, I'm working on code to optimize multi variable linear equations which have many more variables than equations.

And, as for the challange, It has to start somewhere, and being the first submission, its only to have something to beat.

AND, if you read my attachments, you'd know what a Magical Hexagon is.

:wave:

alkatran

Oct 12th, 2004, 03:27 PM

Can I submit a form for a contest IDEA? (IE: the form for the contest)

Merri

Oct 13th, 2004, 06:59 AM

I got this weird idea: how about having some contest so that you must pair up with someone, code together? Personally, I've never been good in teamwork, but a contest might be something that could make me considering teamworking. It would also cause some more competivity between the team members, because for sure the other one doesn't want to win because of the other's skills: it wouldn't feel like a victory if your team wins and you didn't do all that much for it.

Though, I have no idea whom I would pair with in such a contest. Probably the contest thing should be slightly too big for one person to handle in the given time.

How the teaming would work depends on how the team wants: like, other one could code a lot, but leave the bug testing for the other member. Or both could do their part on coding and bugtest the code. There are many ways to go.

Wonder what I eat to get such weird ideas...

MartinLiss

Oct 18th, 2004, 07:28 PM

Write an Addin that does something useful that MZTools doesn't already do. Some things might be the ability to examine all your variables and make sure that their names conform to a set of rules that you can define, or a "lines of code" counter (what a "line" is would need to be defined), or a dead Sub/Function finder, or all of the above.

wossname

Oct 19th, 2004, 01:15 PM

Originally posted by MartinLiss
Write an Admin that does something useful...

:lol: My thougts exactly. :D

heh heh heh

McCain

Oct 22nd, 2004, 11:52 AM

Something like what Electroman posted sounds like fun, where all the contestants programs compete with each other.
Like we all program a robot. Then all robots fight each other. Last one standing is the winner.
We should be given functions to work with, like in the Maze-AI contest.

wossname

Oct 22nd, 2004, 04:19 PM

Originally posted by McCain
Something like what Electroman posted sounds like fun, where all the contestants programs compete with each other.
Like we all program a robot. Then all robots fight each other. Last one standing is the winner.
We should be given functions to work with, like in the Maze-AI contest.

We should be given a pre-defined Interface to implement, that way everyone's robot would be standardised. Then it would be down to pure code quality as to who wins.

McCain

Oct 23rd, 2004, 01:47 PM

What do you mean with "Interface"?
What I ment was that we were given functions, like walk(), run(), look(), aim(), shoot(), listen() etc. Those functions should be the ONLY functions we were allowed to use to interact with the robot.
The functins could take some specified time to run, so that one would have to decide if it's worth the extra time to aim or if the robot should just shoot at once.

If we got a say() function we could code a whole team of robots that interacted with each other and worked as a team against the other robots.

Man I would enjoy taking part in a contest like that!!!

Merri

Oct 23rd, 2004, 02:08 PM

That exactly would be the interface.

McCain

Oct 23rd, 2004, 02:35 PM

I kind of guessed that, but wasen't 100% sure. Sometimes my English skills are lacking a bit...

BTW, what is the date for the next competition?

Dave Sell

Oct 27th, 2004, 10:32 AM

Originally posted by wossname
We should be given a pre-defined Interface to implement, that way everyone's robot would be standardised. Then it would be down to pure code quality as to who wins.
This sounds really interesting. This is a good idea.

dglienna

Oct 28th, 2004, 03:06 AM

I like the GUI suggestion. Just a way to see how many different ways we can come up with a form design that fufills a specific function in the most elegant way.
It'd let those without a lot of VB experience compete with the experts, and the most creative entry might just win!

McCain

Oct 28th, 2004, 09:49 AM

I'm starting not to care what it is. As long as it's something I'm happy. I really would enjoy a contest right now.

RobDog888

Oct 28th, 2004, 10:37 PM

Anything besides another game contest. The contest topics should
change from contest to contest. This would allow those who dont
like games that much to participate once in a while too.

McCain

Oct 29th, 2004, 09:34 AM

Ok, then I have another competition suggestion:
Make a program that can decrypt messages with a very basic encryption. Examples of the kind of encryptions I'm talking about would be where you substitute the letter 'a' with 1, 'b' with 2 and so on, or when you "move" the alphabeth (i.e. 'a' becomes 'c', 'b' becomes 'd' and 'm' becomes 'o').

Given a pice of text the program should be able to understand what kind of encryption it is and to decrypt the text.

alkatran

Oct 29th, 2004, 09:36 AM

Originally posted by McCain
Ok, then I have another competition suggestion:
Make a program that can decrypt messages with a very basic encryption. Examples of the kind of encryptions I'm talking about would be where you substitute the letter 'a' with 1, 'b' with 2 and so on, or when you "move" the alphabeth (i.e. 'a' becomes 'c', 'b' becomes 'd' and 'm' becomes 'o').

Given a pice of text the program should be able to understand what kind of encryption it is and to decrypt the text.

That is unbelievably hard. The program would literally need a dictionary and the ability to recognize basic grammar! :sick:

McCain

Oct 29th, 2004, 09:38 AM

Yeah, I know. But the idea is that it should be hard, right?
I think it could be fun as long as you keep to realy simple encodings.

Enjoi

Nov 9th, 2004, 06:14 AM

IP Scanner coding competition.

Fastest number of servers a second.

Has to connect to each IP and log the output given from the IP aswell :)

BodwadUK

Nov 9th, 2004, 06:54 AM

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Half the VBforums members would be arrested for port scanning :lol:

wossname

Nov 9th, 2004, 10:38 AM

Originally posted by alkatran
That is unbelievably hard. The program would literally need a dictionary and the ability to recognize basic grammar! :sick:

No it wouldn't. It is actualy very easy to do this and you don't need a dictionary (which are freely available anyway).

This would be an interesting contest I think, and that's why I'm not going to tell you how to do it :D in case it comes up in the future. There are plenty of websites devoted to simple code breaking. Interesting subject.

Another thought springs to mind: Dictionary attack coupled to a Genetic Algorithm, would provide almost perfect accuracy as long as the cypher uses not too many jargon words (no more than 20% of total words) i reckon.

Enjoi

Nov 9th, 2004, 12:56 PM

Originally posted by Enjoi
IP Scanner coding competition.

Fastest number of servers a second.

Has to connect to each IP and log the output given from the IP aswell :)

I didn't say port, I said IP.

Plus, IP scanning is legal in the UK. I'm not sure about america. Probibly the same though.

Disiance

Nov 9th, 2004, 02:22 PM

its gotta be legal here too, I get far to many scans on my SMTP server....bloody *#*E$*#@

wossname

Nov 10th, 2004, 05:56 AM

An Minimum Spanning Tree (MST) generation algorithm would be a great challenge and its easily defined too...

Given N number of dots (randomly distributed on a 2d plane) work out an algorithm to draw lines to connect the dots together (see picture). The total length of all the lines must be as short as possible. N can vary from 3 to 500.

That's it. There are several methods and speed of the code is an issue when N --> 500.

easily achieveable in VB6 or .Net

A simple solution would look a bit like:
http://www.vbforums.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=1834191

***EDIT***

BodwadUK

Nov 10th, 2004, 06:12 AM

You mean all dots must be connected as together not each dot connecting to every other dot :)

Could be quite cool but easily creates a situation where many people get the same score :)

wossname

Nov 10th, 2004, 08:32 AM

^^^^^ Above post EDITED ^^^^^ :)

All programs that get the tree wrong will no count, the ones that do get it right will be judged on speed. There will be a fairly good range of speeds too.

Dave Sell

Nov 10th, 2004, 12:51 PM

Originally posted by wossname
^^^^^ Above post EDITED ^^^^^ :)
All programs that get the tree wrong will no count, the ones that do get it right will be judged on speed. There will be a fairly good range of speeds too.
Woss,

This sounds like a great idea for the contest, but I disagree. I think judgements and allowances should be made in 2 areas:

1) Speed
2) Accuracy.

And by accuracy, I mean not making it manditory that everyone get the exact right answer or be disqualified. You could weight the 2 in different ways, not necessarily 50-50.

Oftentimes in real life when we supply an answer to a problem that is not exactly accurate, it can be very helpful if it is received extremely quickly, and it is very close to being accurate.

bpd

Nov 10th, 2004, 02:01 PM

If it were to be a weighted score, it should probably be weighted very, very heavily in favor of an accurate solution - perhaps in the range of 80..95%.

In any event, I think an MST is a good contest suggestion.

McCain

Nov 10th, 2004, 02:43 PM

I think it could be cool with a MST contest, but I think wossname might have a bit of a head-start on the rest of us... He seems to know this stuff...

WonkoTheSane

Nov 10th, 2004, 05:42 PM

Originally posted by McCain
I think it could be cool with a MST contest, but I think wossname might have a bit of a head-start on the rest of us... He seems to know this stuff...

I'm sure wossy wouldn't mind helping out with the contest set-up rather than taking part himself. He's a smart guy you know. :)

When he said disqualify wrong solutions, he mean only discount them from that particular data set, not the enire contest. An MST program that doesn't produce the MST is useless. There is always a MST length for any 2d data set (there may be many solutions with the same value but they are all legal too).

I'll ask him to start setting it up right away, for VB.NET that is. It should be an excellent opportunity to demonstrate OOP.

If the mods like the base project (that you can all download and build upon to form your entries) they can have it to use as a future contest if they like. Sounds a bit more popular than this ants nonsense.

Electroman

Nov 10th, 2004, 08:14 PM

Posted by WonkoTheSane/Wossname
If the mods like the base project (that you can all download and build upon to form your entries) they can have it to use as a future contest if they like. Sounds a bit more popular than this ants nonsense. Yes I do see it as a good idea that we should plan to do but if you don't like any current contest you may aswell keep it to your self unless your gonna be constructive about it. I've recieved PMs off other members who are taking part in this contest but don't want to give good ideas away so even though your posting this stuff how this contest is no good others are doing it so not everyone shares your opinion.

Pino

Nov 12th, 2004, 05:54 AM

yes i feel you should you are are putting other members off the contest, if you dont like it ait untill he next one!

Can we keep this thread to contest ideas :) its getting a bit chit chatty :)

john tindell

Nov 28th, 2004, 11:57 AM

I know that this is a Visual Basic Forum but could some of the contests be open to C#?

Sgt-Peppa

Dec 2nd, 2004, 11:48 AM

Originally posted by john tindell
I know that this is a Visual Basic Forum but could some of the contests be open to C#?

Or any other language!

Dont base the judging on the code, base it on efficiency, or Design, whatever the type of the contest is!

Tec-Nico

Dec 4th, 2004, 11:50 AM

Speaking of trees... What about making an ID3 (Identification Tree)? We could also ask for the TSP (Traveling SalesMan Problem) to be solved... The most creative approach could win, you know...

Just a couple of suggestions... I haven't had time to even check the contests, you know... :rolleyes:

DaveBo

Dec 15th, 2004, 10:01 AM

How about creating a control that draws a gauge, e.g. like a gas gauge, volt meter etc on a form?

The size, placement, colors, border and maybe even shape (round vs rect.) could all be programmable,
along with range, e.g. 0-100, -15 to +15, Empty to Full etc.
Number of "ticks", label(s),
idiot light warning if a specified min or max level is reached, e.g. "Overheating!"
Orientation, e.g. horizontal vs vertical.
Needle direction from min to max, e.g. left to right, down to up, CW/CCW etc.
And, of course, drawing the needle/indicator itself at a specified value.

I wouldn't participate since I've already done much of this while playing with VB.NET, but I'd love to see what other can do.

A much simpler project might be a thermometer style indicator. Just thinking.

DaveBo

alkatran

Dec 16th, 2004, 03:58 PM

There's only a few guidelines for a good contest:

1: It has to be competitive! I know that's the nature of the contest, but I mean much more 'direct' competition, like the pathfinder (in other words, no judging, just a contest that is self explanatory in who won).

2: It has to require some constructive thinking. I don't mean creative thinking, like for the GUI project, I mean trying to come up with some crazy pathfinding (did I mention I liked contest #2?).

3: ... no that's pretty much it. More competition and the right amount of difficulty = gold!

leinad31

Jan 4th, 2005, 11:57 PM

Somewhat similar to the traveling salesman I think... Elevator program.

Given
2 elevators,
number of floors,
movement rate,
wait time per floor,
and traffic info (similar to maps provided for pathfinder) per person
timestamp
floor in
floor out (destination) for each load

Make an algorithm that makes efficient use of the elevators. Services all traffic in the least amount of time; in terms of processing speed (algorithm speed) and also the duration of the result set (movement rate * floors spanned + wait time).

Other considerations
- as in real life, once it goes down/up keeps going down/up until there is no inputted destination
- on max load, max number of person count, skip next destination unless someone has to go off the elevator.
- traffic info is queued per floor, to facilitate processing of max load consideration
- if the person is not going the same way as elevator he does not get on elevator.

Thats it for now. :)

wossname

Jan 5th, 2005, 06:00 AM

leinad31

Jan 6th, 2005, 10:16 PM

Thanks.

Although the constraints still need some ironing out. I think the weight aware feature (in addition to max load which is required) should be an algo option instead (up to the programmer if he'll implement it) rather than required.

The metrics for evaluating algo performance also needs to be itemized.

wossname

Jan 7th, 2005, 06:20 AM

Since its a real-world problem, why not just use time as a measure of quality.

A lift has a terminal vertical speed (can be expressed in Floors Per Second) and a time required to accelerae to that speed. Then you have the time taken to open/close the doors and allow passengers to embark/disembark.

Let each floor of the building be a Stack of people that have all pressed the "summon elevator" button. The simulation wouldn't need to run in real time, just as long as it adds up the times to an imaginary clock.

You could then test the algorithm with a test set of say a 20 storey building and 25 people placed on random floors.

The algorithm should use the least time possible to move each person to their desired destination (which is not known until the person enters the lift naturally). The lift knows how many people are waiting at each floor by the number of times that floors "summon elevator" button has been pressed.

Once a person has reached his destination he is removed from the simulation and (maybe) points are scored.

A person gets bored after X seconds of waiting for the elevator and takes the stairs instead. Points are lost for every time someone uses the stairs.

System variables: (will change to allow varying levels of dificulty that the algorithm must be able to cope with)

Number of floors
lift capacity (number of people on board maximum)
initial number of people in simulation
Boredom / Stairs threshold (in seconds)

This sounds really interesting to me, what do you others think?

wossname

Jan 7th, 2005, 06:27 AM

All of this logic can be taken care of in the Interface or Base Class that everyone would be given. All the competitor would have to do is write the movement rules for the lift.

This could be brilliant.

I think it should be a console app too, keep things focused on the job in hand rather than fancy GUI. Console apps are dead easy. Makes it easy to do an ascii art representation of the building and the number of people per floor...

Pino

Jan 7th, 2005, 06:27 AM

Since its a real-world problem, why not just use time as a measure of quality.

A lift has a terminal vertical speed (can be expressed in Floors Per Second) and a time required to accelerae to that speed. Then you have the time taken to open/close the doors and allow passengers to embark/disembark.

Let each floor of the building be a Stack of people that have all pressed the "summon elevator" button. The simulation wouldn't need to run in real time, just as long as it adds up the times to an imaginary clodk.

You could then test the algorithm with a test set of say a 20 storey building and 25 people placed on random floors.

The algorithm should use the least time possible to move each person to their desired destination (which is not known until the person enters the lift naturally). The lift knows how many people are waiting at each floor by the number of times that floors "summon elevator" button has been pressed.

Once a person has reached his destination he is removed from the simulation and (maybe) points are scored.

A person gets bored after X seconds of waiting for the elevator and takes the stairs instead. Points are lost for every time someone uses the stairs.

System variables: (will change to allow varying levels of dificulty that the algorithm must be able to cope with)

Number of floors
lift capacity (number of people on board maximum)
initial number of people in simulation
Boredom / Stairs threshold (in seconds)

This sounds really interesting to me, what do you others think?

Very interesting idea,

I'll speak to electroman and manvo and see what they think, its not too much the lack of ideas at the moment this thread contains a lot Its more the fact there hasnt been enough interest, I'm(along with Manvo And Electroman) willing to put this together bu its the interest that is the issue :)

Good points made though, keep them comming :)

wossname

Jan 7th, 2005, 06:47 AM

I'll throw together a .net base class called Elevator and put all the timing stuff and housekeeping in there so everyone's on a level playing field.

All that is required from the competitors is a single class that derives from Elevator.

bpd

Jan 7th, 2005, 09:06 AM

I think the Elevator Simulation is a great idea.

The lift knows how many people are waiting at each floor by the number of times that floors "summon elevator" button has been pressed.Wouldn't it be more realistic if the elevator didn't know how many people are waiting until after it stopped? When I get to an elevator that has already been summoned I'm just as likely to not push as I am to push several more times! (depending on my patients ;) )

Perhaps I missed it in the specs, but there should be two "summon elevator" buttons - Up and Down.

To throw a realistic twist to it, the "Down" button could be pushed, but the person really wants to go UP! There's no algorithmic puzzle here, it's just that the elevator has just wasted some time in stopping; and the person is now going in the wrong direction whilst taking-up valuable space.

Personally, I think that the driver program that would test the contest entries might, in itself, make a good contest. :)

wossname

Jan 7th, 2005, 10:38 AM

I think the Elevator Simulation is a great idea.

Wouldn't it be more realistic if the elevator didn't know how many people are waiting until after it stopped? When I get to an elevator that has already been summoned I'm just as likely to not push as I am to push several more times! (depending on my patients ;) )

Perhaps I missed it in the specs, but there should be two "summon elevator" buttons - Up and Down.

To throw a realistic twist to it, the "Down" button could be pushed, but the person really wants to go UP! There's no algorithmic puzzle here, it's just that the elevator has just wasted some time in stopping; and the person is now going in the wrong direction whilst taking-up valuable space.

Personally, I think that the driver program that would test the contest entries might, in itself, make a good contest. :)
I think we have a goal to aim for which is over and above what a normal elevator does. Elevators in the real world are dumb, they just go there they are told. This contest should be about the lift that is most efficient at gettings people from one place to another. I think letting it know how many people there are waiting on each floor is a useful thing for it to know because it lets the competitors code a lift that has come kind of forward planning and simple determination.

I suggest we just keep 1 summon button for now, and let each person (in the sim) hold their desired floor number internally as a member. When they get in the lift, the lift knows where they want to go and adjusts its plans accordingly.

We can always fine-tune the details later on before the contest starts.

BodwadUK

Jan 7th, 2005, 10:56 AM

Have the program read in a text file to decide when and where passengers arrive :)

leinad31

Jan 7th, 2005, 02:39 PM

I didn't suggest real time so as to simplify calculation, one metric to express movement rate, and wait time. Such as 1 flr per tick, and when elevator stops for load/unload 2 ticks.

There also has to be a timeline. In the real world, everyone doesnt press the button on each floor at the same time. You have people arriving as the elevator is moving.

The queue per floor is necessary to facilitate determination of who gets on for cases wherein the max load is exceeded if all people on the floor are accomodated. And also to facilitate additional people coming in at a later tick while the elevator is moving.

leinad31

Jan 7th, 2005, 02:45 PM

I have to agree with bpd, the flag for up anddown should be for each floor not each person. Once its pressed, its more realistic if it doesnt know how many other persons are also going in the same direction.

Thanks for the additional input.

I hope the base class is finalized soon.

wossname

Jan 8th, 2005, 01:58 PM

wossname

Jan 8th, 2005, 01:59 PM

I had already built in the ability to let people arrive at any time during execution of the algorithm. :)

I have classes for the following:
Elevator
Floor
Person

The elevator will contain an array of floors, which in turn contains a Queue of person objects. Floor and Person will be NotInheritable. The elevator will only be allowed access to certain information, via public properties in Floor and Person classes. Most data will be hidden from it.

DarkX_Greece

Jan 9th, 2005, 08:51 AM

Well,

i suggest all members to submit their hard work on a project that they made in VB,VB.Net,C,C++ and let the other users vote for them!

Or

a contest for gui, internet related program (example: custom web browser control), a 3D Game!

Many options! :thumb:

wossname

Jan 10th, 2005, 09:46 AM

Many options...
...most of them unsuitable.

A web browser would leave security issues open and would be too much work to do from scratch.

I doubt many people would submit their old programs on copyright grounds.

Not enough people (as far as I can tell) are adequately proficient (me included) in 3d graphics (except a few notable exceptions).

K.I.S.S.

leinad31

Jan 10th, 2005, 09:57 PM

Pino

Jan 11th, 2005, 04:15 AM

Is that class just for .Net?

I suggest a sticky thread with a link in the Classic VB and Announcements sections for the duration of the contest. I'm guessing most people are unaware of this thread especially if they are like me who saved a bookmark to the Classic section instead of the main page.
Putting an announcement in the classic vb forum is not possible, most people know the contests are here,

It will be VB6 And Vb.Net (Seperate Contests)

Thanks For The Comments

wossname

Jan 12th, 2005, 03:20 AM

Is that class just for .Net?
I only code for .net these days yes. I think Pino wants to write a VB6 version based on my .net one though.

Pino

Jan 12th, 2005, 07:06 AM

I only code for .net these days yes. I think Pino wants to write a VB6 version based on my .net one though. Yea I will be writing the vb6 version for the contest :)

KB04

Jan 17th, 2005, 04:13 PM

System_Error

Jan 17th, 2005, 04:24 PM

I know this is a Vb forum, but why not some contest in different languages like java?

Pino

Jan 17th, 2005, 04:27 PM

How about a maze designer, you could try and create a maze on a picturebox save it as a bitmap, then get some sort of path finder bot to go around the bitmap and the maze that needs the longest time to complete would win, not sure how they are made or how a pathfinder would cope with different mazes, just a suggestion. I'm probably not really proficient enough in vb (or vb.net) to make anything tyhis complex, just thought it might be a fun challenge for those who are.

KB04 :afrog:

We have allready run a contest like this, (Number 2 i think Pathfinder Contest)

I know this is a Vb forum, but why not some contest in different languages like java?

The main reason is because of interest we wouldnt have enough people participating plus I am not good enough at java to run such a contest :)

Pino

Disiance

Jan 17th, 2005, 04:30 PM

Pythagorean number generator.

wossname

Jan 18th, 2005, 04:54 AM

How about a contest to write a "Contest Idea Generator" application. :rofl:

Disiance

Jan 18th, 2005, 11:42 AM

how about a logical sentance generator?

leinad31

Jan 19th, 2005, 08:09 PM

Logical sentence? Do you mean simplifying a logical sentence to prove if the statement is true using existing theorems for logic?

I think that's also a good idea.

I also have a suggestion, infix/postfix generating function.

Disiance

Jan 19th, 2005, 09:12 PM

Logical sentence? Do you mean simplifying a logical sentence to prove if the statement is true using existing theorems for logic?
Not what I was thinking, but a good idea!
I was thinking have a program that generated grammatically-correct sentances based on how many words you want.

RobDog888

Jan 20th, 2005, 12:31 AM

How about an AI program. It will learn from interaction with the user. You can
apply the utility in almost any program from a game to business programs.
Anticipate users needs based upon past usage, etc.

I know, have it learn to write code for you so you can spend all day at work
surfing the Forums. :D

Disiance

Jan 20th, 2005, 11:21 AM

RobDog888

Jan 20th, 2005, 11:57 AM

Well, I think it would need a database to store past reactions so when presented
with an action it would look up and see what is the greatest number of
correct reactions to this.

Disiance

Jan 20th, 2005, 12:16 PM

Well, I think it would need a database to store past reactions so when presented
with an action it would look up and see what is the greatest number of
correct reactions to this.
Yes, but I've been thinking about making one that more-or-less understands a sentance. It would analyze the sentance structure. I've been going over this in my head for about three weeks now. Like I said, daunting :eek2:

wossname

Jan 20th, 2005, 01:56 PM

Disiance

Jan 20th, 2005, 02:01 PM

No its a terrible idea :D Nobody but you and Dis would send in an entry.
Hey, that wasn't my idea, I never said I'd participate :lol:
Although I would since it would be easy. But I do think that is to easy for this challange.

RobDog888

Jan 20th, 2005, 10:40 PM

How about something where you submit your code or tutorial and members can
rate them and the entry with the highest rating wins. This way there is no
constraints on the scope and gives freedom to write any type of program.

It can be run every month without getting boared.

Merri

Jan 21st, 2005, 07:59 AM

Well, we do have PlanetSourceCode already... though you can see a lot of bad code there (with some jewels here and there).

Electroman

Jan 21st, 2005, 08:42 AM

Well, I think it would need a database to store past reactions so when presented
with an action it would look up and see what is the greatest number of
correct reactions to this.
Now writting the documentation for a program that used such a thing would either be terrible or extremely easy. Could be easy because you could just say use it for a bit and it will adapt to want to want it to be. Or terrible because how do you tell your user how to use it when it will end up being different for each person :D.
Sounds good for a project, not really contest material ;).

RobDog888

Jan 22nd, 2005, 02:13 PM

Well, we do have PlanetSourceCode already... though you can see a lot of bad code there (with some jewels here and there).Yes, but maybe we can make it better somehow?

RobDog888

Jan 30th, 2005, 01:02 PM

Well, we do have PlanetSourceCode already... though you can see a lot of bad code there (with some jewels here and there).Yes, but we are better coders here at VBF.

So nobody thinks this is a good idea?

Merri

Jan 30th, 2005, 09:08 PM

I could disagree, PSC has a lot of codes and coders of various skill level... some of the codes are much better than most people here can do, even though most code is utter *beep*. It is a valuable resource even with all the bad code people submits.

I don't see a point redeveloping the wheel - it would just end up submitting some code and hoping others like it. If quality is a requirement then only few have the time to do any coding for it. It would be nice if it worked, but I don't think we have that many quality coders with free time to do that.

Just an opinion, but maybe it brings up thoughts others have had left unsaid.

RobDog888

Jan 30th, 2005, 09:53 PM

I see your point, but I dont see why we couldn't do something that would be
similar or modified? Why not create something that we could have here at
VBF instead of a third party site that is already plaged with low quality code.

We are not going to be getting another contest until we can come up with a
well accepted idea. :(

Merri

Jan 31st, 2005, 05:39 AM

Now that I made some snow: a snowman contest!

- there are two tools for a bot to use: a big shovel and a small shovel
- the amount of snow varies on the ground
- there is a certain area to be cleared of snow
- the big shovel is good for small amount of snow taken off of large area
- the small shovel is good for big amount of snow taken off of small area
- the bot should figure out how to use the least energy to clear off the required area

Trying to carry too much snow with big shovel wastes a lot of energy and time. Trying to clear off too small amount of snow with small shover wastes time (and energy too, because it takes more times to throw away the snow).

Basically it would be a bot which should find the best use of energy and turns to clear the area on the fly. It wouldn't know exactly how much snow there is somewhere. Also, there shouldn't suddenly be a lot of snow since it would be a road it is clearing. So there would be more snow somewhere, but it would grow to that slowly.

Maybe the bot should also consider where to throw the snow. Just an additional idea: it would be dumb to throw snow to the area to be cleared off ;)

RobDog888

Jan 31st, 2005, 02:50 PM

Interesting idea for a game. You could have obstacles in the road like a snow
drift or strandrd car, etc. But seems like allot of work unless each contest
was a phase of the game. The after all the phases are complete you could
play the game. Everyone could post thier high scores or have it reported
somewhere so there is no cheating.

Also, after so many points you could get tools to help clear the snow faster
like a bag of salt, flame thrower, snow plow,etc.

makster246

Feb 3rd, 2005, 12:17 AM

I dont know about everyone else, but i wouldnt mind having a contest which involves something a little more application based (as someones post said early on...something which would be more usefull in a real world situation).

Has anyone got any ideas????

O.K HERE IS MINE :-

KIDDIE TEXT.....basically a kids text editor program, all text editors on the market are pretty sterile and boring...(maybe have a voice that says the letter you are pressing as you press it - and there is no excuse saying you dont have a microphone because windows has all the verbal letters built in just waiting to be used)..

Rob

Disiance

Feb 3rd, 2005, 12:36 PM

wossname

Feb 3rd, 2005, 01:29 PM

Non-coders should not be allowed to use computers :bigyello: however, this is quite an original idea.

Disiance

Feb 3rd, 2005, 02:09 PM

Non-coders should not be allowed to use computers :bigyello:
You're an inspiration to us all!

however, this is quite an original idea.
Yes, and the best one in this thread for a while.

RobDog888

Feb 6th, 2005, 02:03 PM

Pino

Feb 6th, 2005, 02:05 PM

I guess you guys all forgot about the very first suggestion, post #3 ;) :D

We did that contest (Gui/Alarm clock) but no one entered :(

RobDog888

Feb 6th, 2005, 02:11 PM

Oops! I missed that one. Guess since we Mods can enter I havent been checking the action in here too much. :blush:
I would of entered if I was allowed. :(

What about variations of it? Like the kiddie GUI? All conforming to a theme?

Pino

Feb 6th, 2005, 04:31 PM

Dave Sell

Feb 9th, 2005, 12:55 PM

This contest suggestion has practical usage and combines some of the previous suggestions:

How about Make the Best VB6 Source Code Formatter? VB6 really seems to lack a good, free one. If you know about one out there, give me a heads-up, cause I am about ready to start making my own to clean up some of this old crappy code I have to look at.

Edit: Oh ya, it should also have the abililty to handle more than 1 person's programming style... Ie.. it should somehow be very configurable to make the most peeps happy.

RobDog888

Feb 9th, 2005, 02:08 PM

I like that idea. Something useful. How about making it where you can define the style for certain
keywords? So if I want my If Then Else code to be indented with four chars I would set it up that way. Then when
you type out in the IDE "If" it will indent it four spaces and automatically type out the "Else" and "End If" upon
the enter keypress, indented correctly. Just like VB.NET does. :D

Dave Sell

Feb 9th, 2005, 02:13 PM

Well that would have to be a plug-in, I assume? I was thinking of an external program, but I like the idea of a plug-in... I think there was a code formatter plug-in for VB but I remember not liking something about it.

I think I might prefer an external program that formats the code and re-saves the source files...

RobDog888

Feb 9th, 2005, 02:26 PM

I like the idea of on-the-fly formatting in the IDE. I use VB.NET and it does that which saves me time.
Its a great option in .NET. Would be a great Add-In for VB6, I think anyways.

If you did it as an external program and it made you close and reopen your project so the code would then
be formatted, it would be easier, but I never did things the easy way and I would hate to be interrupted
with a restart of vb just for formatting. :D

Dave Sell

Feb 9th, 2005, 02:28 PM

You make a good point - real-time code formatting clearly has advantages to the creation of code.

My current problem is I am supporting really old, already written code. This would require the employment of an external application, to read in, format, and then save back out all this old crappy code.

I don't want to load the VB IDE just so I have access to the functionality.

RobDog888

Feb 9th, 2005, 02:34 PM

Yes, in that case the reformatting of the code in the files is a better solution. Perhaps an option
to do it either way?

Disiance

Feb 9th, 2005, 02:36 PM

Yes, in that case the reformatting of the code in the files is a better solution. Perhaps an option
to do it either way?
Either way you'd just have to write the formatting code once, then just copy it into the correct project type. I like the idea of the addin but I see Dave Sell's point of needing an external too.

Dave Sell

Feb 9th, 2005, 04:53 PM

If written in a correctly modular fashion it should be very little extra effort to host the functionality in both modes.

Disiance

Feb 9th, 2005, 04:56 PM

If written in a correctly modular fashion it should be very little extra effort to host the functionality in both modes.
Tis what I said, just more elegantly :lol:

Dave Sell

Feb 9th, 2005, 04:59 PM

Well, I guess my statement also imlpies that more work must be invested in determining the correct interface to the functionality.

RobDog888

Feb 9th, 2005, 05:20 PM

Just a quick comment: These are the types of contests I like to see because they are also useful in our
programming life. Not that they all should be this way but they cant all be about gamming.

Time taken to type this out - 15 seconds, value = priceless. :D

Dave Sell

Feb 14th, 2005, 05:14 PM

OK, you want a useful and fun contest? You got it.

Think - how do you use the VBF? You post a Q or you answer a Q. Then, what you wait for your email proggy to notify you of a new response. Then, you go in and look at the email, which gives you a hyperlink to click. Then, you click it. Then, you delete the email cause it's junk. Then you go to the web page and view it.

Whew, that can get tiresome after a while. I think you PowerPosters will agree.

What about a scheme where you get a kind of notification that you have a new response, and you click it, and it takes you directly to your post on VBF, and deletes the junk email for you?

Just something I wish I had. I suppose you would have to have a Pop3 account somewhere just to handle this, but maybe not? I wonder if VBF would consider hosting a Pop3 mail server just for us VBF users?

RobDog888

Feb 14th, 2005, 07:14 PM

That sounds like an Outlook Add-In, but what if the user is not running Outlook?

I would see it as a rule that ran so when you received the email notification
it would open a new brower window to the contained link and delete the
email. Very possible in an VB Outlook Add-In., but it would not be scallable
since not everyone uses Outlook. :(

Dave Sell

Feb 15th, 2005, 08:25 AM

No I dont use Outlook either. I waqs thinking of something along the lines of Mailspy, which would require a Pop3 server.

Merri

Feb 15th, 2005, 10:47 AM

Duh, just don't have email subscription: you can use User CP to see if there are any new messages. That is how I do, even at times when I'm active on the forums.

And I'm using Thunderbird.

Dave Sell

Feb 15th, 2005, 11:50 AM

Duh, I want email subscription.

psychotomus

Mar 15th, 2005, 03:51 PM

best email client.

best custom control. maybe best listbox. =) or something who knows.

|2eM!x

Mar 27th, 2005, 02:01 AM

There was an alarm clock one!?!I MADE A SWEET ONE!!

Dave Sell

Apr 1st, 2005, 10:28 AM

How about an automated receptionist? Some program that answers a telephone, talks to the caller, and attempts to get them to leave an appropriate message? Something like:

Computer: "Hello, how may I driect your call?"

Caller: "I want to speak to such and such"

Computer: "Press #1 to speak directly to them, or press 2 to leave a message."

Caller <presses #1>

Computer: "I'm sorry, they are not answering their page. Please leave a message after the beep."

Caller <leaves a message>

nkad

Apr 12th, 2005, 04:34 PM

How about a game?

KB04

Apr 13th, 2005, 02:00 PM

Voice recognition, that's a bit tough isn't it, I wouldn't have the foggiest of where to start, but I'm still only a beginner though. How about a simple Instant messenger program, not sure how easy to judge it would be but could be quite fun to make.

KB04

BodwadUK

May 9th, 2005, 03:44 AM

Lemming type clone :afrog:

SLH

May 9th, 2005, 04:52 PM

chemicalNova

May 10th, 2005, 08:46 AM

MP3 file organizer.

Searching
ID tag editing
file directory structure organizing
file name editing
file name / ID tag inconsistancy detection

Loads of features to seperate the good from the less good could be inplemented.
I think it's Mc_Brain who has his one of these inhis sig. It's already made! How about a scripting language? We all love to create parsers here :p

chem

vbNeo

May 10th, 2005, 11:39 AM

SLH

May 10th, 2005, 01:45 PM

I think it's Mc_Brain who has his one of these inhis sig. It's already made! How about a scripting language? We all love to create parsers here :p

chemForgot about that, although i thought it was just an MP3 player...

RobDog888

May 10th, 2005, 01:53 PM

Looks like there may be an idea (http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.php?t=338163) in CC? It might not be too good since no programming is required. Oh wait, that might make it better. :lol:
No bootlegged copyrighted wallpapers, only custom work.

|2eM!x

May 12th, 2005, 05:24 PM

how about a program that changes your background images, maybe changes hue and stuff, and changes pictures..thatd be hot

dj4uk

May 19th, 2005, 07:46 AM

An application that would be really useful for me as a web developer would be a quick image resizer.

Basically there are times when I just need to do a quick and dirty file resize/reformat of an image sent to me.

I'm a lazy git so it would be great rather than booting up PhotoShop to do this silly little task just to right-click the file and choose Image Resize and then then the new image dimensions, resolution and file format (possibly compression ratio for jpeg outputs). These options should be editable so you can add to the quick list the most commonly used variations.

The main thing about this is it must be kept simple as I don't want to be fiddling around with loads of settings apart from maybe choosing most commonly used variations after installing. The functionality should be right-click > point > click and hey presto the file is now as I want it!

Obviously it ain't too complex a project but I'd be interested to see how people would go about doing this. Having the most functions in this case wouldn't be the best thing it's the usability!

I would do it myself but I just don't have the time so if this could run as a contest it would be cool.

Cheers

DJ

KB04

May 19th, 2005, 02:20 PM

What about a touch typing learning program like mavis beacon or fingers for windows. There aren't any great freeware typing programs out there, well none that I found to be decent anyway.

KB04

|2eM!x

May 21st, 2005, 03:07 AM

i like that idea^^

sciguyryan

May 25th, 2005, 12:29 PM

Heres a suggestion.

I've seen this asked a few places and maybe this would be a good idea for a project.

The creation of a better RichTextBox control, one that supports more features and the ones of the current RTB - More features as in things like Different types of underline etc....

Cheers,

RyanJ

asmdev

May 27th, 2005, 08:26 AM

i just go through this thread. i preffer one idea (which) i think is quite fun and the resulted output have commercial value or education value.

a typing program, yes... a typing program. a step by step typing program that make the user a master typist.

the commercial value is, the final output, we could use it, sell it, or donate it to school, the place u pray, and for ur kids who always come and bugs u.

well, i think it is not so hard to build a typing program. but the hard thing is how to make the user willing to use ur typing program over and over and over. and how ur program teach the user to type fast.

the judge might be ur kids. or people who got kids. (not me coz i am still a kid!) so, let see, u give ur kids several typing program and see which one does he use and play with it.

k, i support the idea of typing software. (coz my lab still use the old DOS typing program for users) LOL

thegreatone

May 30th, 2005, 06:11 PM

What about a touch typing learning program like mavis beacon or fingers for windows. There aren't any great freeware typing programs out there, well none that I found to be decent anyway.

KB04

An application that would be really useful for me as a web developer would be a quick image resizer.

Basically there are times when I just need to do a quick and dirty file resize/reformat of an image sent to me.

I'm a lazy git so it would be great rather than booting up PhotoShop to do this silly little task just to right-click the file and choose Image Resize and then then the new image dimensions, resolution and file format (possibly compression ratio for jpeg outputs). These options should be editable so you can add to the quick list the most commonly used variations.

The main thing about this is it must be kept simple as I don't want to be fiddling around with loads of settings apart from maybe choosing most commonly used variations after installing. The functionality should be right-click > point > click and hey presto the file is now as I want it!

Obviously it ain't too complex a project but I'd be interested to see how people would go about doing this. Having the most functions in this case wouldn't be the best thing it's the usability!

I would do it myself but I just don't have the time so if this could run as a contest it would be cool.

Cheers

DJ

Both these ideas are VERY good, i have been thinking about both of them for some time now, and would probably even enter even though i'm a total Newb ! :P

sciguyryan

May 31st, 2005, 06:40 PM

Both these ideas are VERY good, i have been thinking about both of them for some time now, and would probably even enter even though i'm a total Newb ! :P

I will second that, I like that suggestion too :)

Cheers,

RyanJ

<ABX

Jun 2nd, 2005, 05:39 PM

How about little wigets that automate simple but labourous tasks?

For example I wrote a little command line wiget that appends [CRC] to the file name of all files in a directory if it doesnt already exist. (Where CRC is the CRC32 of the file)

I also have a wiget that runs at startup and cleans temp directories.

makster246

Jul 14th, 2005, 04:43 PM

just a small question:
are we gonna have a coding contest or we just gonna sit here discussing it for a few more months..lol

just enter the ideas into a random generator and we will all do that one...

rob

Merri

Jul 14th, 2005, 06:31 PM

Figure out a fast string searching algorithm.

(because I'm making one atm ;))

RobDog888

Jul 14th, 2005, 09:32 PM

...just enter the ideas into a random generator and we will all do that one...

rob
A contest to see who can create the best "random generator of ideas" program as the next contest.

eyeRmonkey

Jul 20th, 2005, 09:56 PM

AH! I'll get on it right away!! I'll need the head start. :D

wossname

Jul 22nd, 2005, 04:11 AM

Figure out a fast string searching algorithm.

(because I'm making one atm ;))
This is a decent idea too. Easy to implement too (from a marking perspective).

RobDog888

Jul 22nd, 2005, 11:30 AM

Yea, like we dont know whos going to win that one, right Merri? ;) ::thumb:

Merri

Jul 22nd, 2005, 12:10 PM

Well, it is hard to know: it is possible to make search strings that are slow with the algorithm I have, so a brute force search could beat it... :D:thumb:

RobDog888

Jul 22nd, 2005, 12:15 PM

PM me with the code so I can use it to win :D Oh wait, I cant play since I am a Mod. :(

wossname

Jul 22nd, 2005, 03:05 PM

String searches are easy. If you know how. The VB6 standard search is by no means optimal. The VB.net one is better but still not perfect.

We can all learn from DEK.

RapchikProgrammer

Jul 24th, 2005, 07:52 AM

Well i think the best idea would be a photoshop like software! We could start with a basic framework and then all the people could come forward and post some filters! We can also keep increasing its functionality by making it flexible enough to add plugins? Wat u guys think?

Merri

Jul 24th, 2005, 08:57 AM

That's not a contest?

RapchikProgrammer

Jul 24th, 2005, 12:23 PM

Ok i got the view of the discussion wrong i thought we had all to make a software by joinin hands!

Merri

Jul 24th, 2005, 03:27 PM

The better tells me why people post offtopic so easily and why there are some many threads with bad titles :D

nkad

Jul 25th, 2005, 03:54 AM

I have an AWSOME IDEA! Lets actually START a coding contest!

wossname

Jul 25th, 2005, 05:15 AM

Ok i got the view of the discussion wrong i thought we had all to make a software by joinin hands!
And singing some traditional songs around a campfire no doubt. :D

dukuso

Aug 2nd, 2005, 06:50 AM

some pages with good contest-problems :

http://www.recmath.org/contest/vote.php
http://spoj.sphere.pl/problems/classical/
http://acmicpc-live-archive.uva.es/nuevoportal/

Raedwulf

Aug 28th, 2005, 03:37 PM

A Connect 4 AI engine which we compete with each other's engines.
Winner of course is who wins most games :P.
Maybe a league table?

Raedwulf

Aug 29th, 2005, 06:33 AM

Or what about the fastest hash table implementation?

CVMichael

Aug 30th, 2005, 02:19 PM

Or what about the fastest hash table implementation?
Guys, stop asking for fast stuff, guess who will win ? (Merri... :))

I think we should have a contest that takes some math skills and logic, and not worry on how fast it is...
I think it's time to have a contest that is marked by complexity intested of speed...

Not that I don't like speed... but can never win while Merri (or ppl like him) are in the contest :)

manavo11

Aug 30th, 2005, 08:47 PM

I think we should have a contest that takes some math skills and logic, and not worry on how fast it is...
I think it's time to have a contest that is marked by complexity intested of speed...

Could you give an example? Cause I don't quite understand what you mean :)

CVMichael

Aug 31st, 2005, 01:20 AM

Could you give an example? Cause I don't quite understand what you mean :)
Yea... ammm.... I was afraid you might ask that...

Evey single example I can think of, can be used for speed too....:) but in terms of complexity, I was thinking something like a ray tracing program. It can get very complex, the more realistic you want it, the more complex it is...
But that kind of project can take a long time to do... I did one a long time ago in C++, I spent 6 months on it (then I lost all the code because of hard drive problems). Yes... I'm doing backups regularly since then....

dglienna

Aug 31st, 2005, 01:27 AM

How about a Debug and Optimize contest? Everyone could submit code that has a few bugs purposely added (and documented). Along with a detailed description of the program requirements.

People would pick a random program, and be graded on not only fixing the bugs, but also improving it by solving the problem in a unique way or just optimizing the procedure.

It may be hard to judge, but maybe that could be a group effort as well?

Give it a time limit also. 24 hours after you download the project would be good.

Merri

Aug 31st, 2005, 01:58 AM

Time limit won't work, who would watch after it? Yup. Impossible.

I can submit Goldpanda and tell you what is the problem, I can then give the contest prize I haven't used to the person who figures out a good and working solution to the bug ;)

And yes, I'd eventually fix the bug by myself, but I'm busy with several other things so I don't have time for Goldpanda atleast for one month, probably two...

Phill64

Aug 31st, 2005, 02:18 AM

Anything involving the submitted programs interacting (competing) in real time.

hey i like that idea, the last contest i (tried to enter) embarrising i didnt notice the date was a year ago *doh!* was an AI chatting bot for DALnet to be as realistic as possible, theyd all be put in a room together, the ones which seemed most human were the winners.

The other thing along these lines i tried was a game i called 'program fighter' which i never finished, lol.. but it interpreted C-like code for telling your stickfighter what to do.. if the enemy is doing this... you do this (you had to move by joints.. not by prebuilt functions), in other words, street fighter for nerds.

anyway, perhaps you could do something like, put an asp page up which is a maze, (and gives a unique game number upon first entry), you must write a program to logon and complete the maze as quickly as possible, the page should return a simple text format for the programs to easily read, and only return the wall parts cloest to the player position, that means it's up to the program to remember where it's been, and where it currently is (a move would be a left, right, up, down.. not sending coords).

Could release a sample maze of the asp pages to be put on the contestants own pc for testing with, when the real one is put up, the contestant runs their program on the maze (and hopefully it finishes it) and they then post their unique game number in the forum, along with their program, to prove the number of turns used by their program.

Raedwulf

Aug 31st, 2005, 02:59 AM

Guys, stop asking for fast stuff, guess who will win ? (Merri... )

Come on CVMichael :D I'm up to it :P
What does anyone think about the Connect4 AI or the HashTable suggestions?

Phill64

Aug 31st, 2005, 03:11 AM

what ever happend to that elevator one, that's interesting, it almost sounds like a game, like simcity meets lemmings.

but perhaps not console based, i think an elevator either side of the building, in a normal form with a panel or something representing the elevators, and perhaps two progress bars per floor to show how many people are at each end of the building waiting, i think perhaps the elevator should be stupid, and just do what the simulated people tell it to, like a normal elevator just goto the cloest floor each time (which would be the best algorithm for a single elevator anyway) since by the time the elevator knows where people are going (and it doesnt even know where everyone is going) they are already on board. perhaps an elevator operator on each floor will direct each person where to go upon entering the floor, you code the way these operators think, perhaps they are allowed to radio to each other every 1min for updates? so obviously is elevator 1 has just left to the bottom floor and you're on the top floor wanting to go one down, the operator would direct the sim person to elevator #2

Cander

Sep 15th, 2005, 09:55 AM

The Sudoku contest gave me an idea. How about an app that will generate a paint by numbers logic puzzle from an icon?

http://www.blindchicken.com/~ali/games/puzzles.html

Brick1

Sep 15th, 2005, 05:44 PM

After having finished the sudoku contest, i'm trying to think of a new challenge.
Would the Rubik cube be interesting enough to attract vb programmers?
I like the cube, i think my average solving time was about 45 secs 20 yrs ago.
Any suggestions about this topic?

ntg

Sep 16th, 2005, 12:56 PM

The Sudoku contest was fun...but I think it's time someone comes up with a challenge that turns out something useful (like a control or a plug-in engine) or the implementation of a really difficult but useful algorithm (like DES or SHA for PDAs) or really anything else for which you can't readily find 1000s of hits in a search engine.

Phill64

Sep 16th, 2005, 10:47 PM

how about something very different and interesting..

a data miner!

for html pages, how about a program that must read in a html webpage and attempt to then create objects and variables from it such as...

"fred has red hair"
object "Fred" property "Hair" = "Red"

it doesnt need to be html i guess, that just adds to extra bit of filtering out useless crap, it could just be a normal .txt document

after it reads it in, you should be able to view a list of objects and click one to see its properties and values of the properties.

harder still, added functionality of changing these values and having it change the appropriate word in the document, or perhaps some built in data types, identity numbers and Red as a color etc..

EricDalnas

Sep 29th, 2005, 10:36 AM

How bout a word wrapping function that wraps to a certain number of characters. Actually I just want to challenge Merri. I have a vb6 one that I think is unbeatable. primarily because I do some really weird stuff with APIs.

Raedwulf

Oct 2nd, 2005, 10:42 AM

I'll take the challenge too :)
Hmmmm....I think to get a contest going it'll take time...Make a private one - I'll ask Merri too.

manavo11

Oct 3rd, 2005, 04:21 PM

To make a contest I need to see that more than 2 or 3 people are interested... Since I don't see any people responding with positive comments on the ideas posted here I won't be starting anything...

RobDog888

Oct 3rd, 2005, 04:25 PM

I didnt look through all these pages but was a screen saver program contest ever mentioned?
Not only would it be fun but useful too. It could be voted on in a poll.

manavo11

Oct 3rd, 2005, 04:39 PM

And mark that how? :) Poll? Most votes wins?

RobDog888

Oct 4th, 2005, 07:04 PM

Yes, the Contest Mods could choose what they feel are the top 10 and then members can vote from those. Yes, its subjective but by opening up the final choice to a poll you will level the field as much as possible.

Raedwulf

Oct 5th, 2005, 06:21 AM

Im intereted in the word wrapping function ...anyone else ? :)

yrwyddfa

Oct 5th, 2005, 11:43 AM

I'd be in on that.

yrwyddfa

Oct 5th, 2005, 11:44 AM

But perhaps make it a little harder - it has to do it in a device context and not a text box

Merri

Oct 6th, 2005, 07:26 AM

Looks like it makes it four then. I don't know how much time I'd have for the contest, probably not as much I'd like to have. Month is a long time though.

Raedwulf

Oct 6th, 2005, 02:25 PM

But perhaps make it a little harder - it has to do it in a device context and not a text box
Device context???....well why on earth would we want to do that...It has to be practical - the functions works on a string. After that we can display it as we want - in a text box or DrawText on a hdc...I don't see why that has to be part of the wordwrapping function.
Unless you a referring to wordwrapping based on a pixel width? - thats a lot of work though ...you need to calculate width of each line etc. In the end we would almost be benchmarking drawtext......though :)

conipto

Oct 20th, 2005, 08:34 PM

How about a file synching program for multiple computers (i.e, your laptop to your pc to your office pc). Could judge on alot of different things that way (such as automatability, overhead on the OS, conflict resolution, etc) Have options to sync entire folders, or specific files, etc.

Bill

Brick1

Oct 22nd, 2005, 04:17 PM

Doing the Sudoku contest was great fun.
Why isn't there a next contest?
Just start it da**it.

manavo11

Oct 22nd, 2005, 06:45 PM

Start what? Where is the idea/suggestion for the contest? Will you join the contest no matter what it is? Cause even if you do, there aren't many others that will (join no matter what). So unless a good idea is suggested (my imagination is limited) and people express some interest, there isn't much point starting a contest and having 2 or 3 people join... Correct me if you think I'm wrong or if I'm missing the point :)

Merri

Oct 22nd, 2005, 07:08 PM

Well, four persons have shown interest to a wordwrapper, which is the most interest in a long time in this thread for a certain idea. Though I'm still not sure if I'd have the time to do it. But I guess that leaves more room for others to participate and win ;)

The rules that probably would be the most reasonable:

make a function that returns a string that is formatted to max. given amount of characters from the given string
the default input value is 80
if a word is too long to fit into the character limit, it should be cut off and a - should be placed into the end of line
lines must be separated by a CRLF

And I guess the results would be purely based on benchmark time.

RobDog888

Oct 24th, 2005, 09:25 PM

How about a chat program contest? Everyone is always asking in classic vb how to make one. Then when its all done everyone can chat with everyone. Make it a P2P type app?

wossname

Oct 25th, 2005, 08:59 AM

Come on CVMichael :D I'm up to it :P
What does anyone think about the Connect4 AI or the HashTable suggestions?
How about a speed challenge for stretching a rectangular image into a non-rectangular polygon? :D :lol:

wossname

Oct 25th, 2005, 09:02 AM

You up for that keda :)

CVMichael

Oct 27th, 2005, 06:55 PM

How about a chat program contest? Everyone is always asking in classic vb how to make one. Then when its all done everyone can chat with everyone. Make it a P2P type app?
Hey, that's a good idea... I'm up to that !
Though, I don't know if I'll have time to actually to it, if this contest starts...

RobDog888

Oct 27th, 2005, 07:05 PM

It is a good thing that Mods can not be in the contest as if we did the Chat contest Badger Boy would probably win. :lol:

|2eM!x

Nov 14th, 2005, 02:28 AM

How about a font detector? You have to take a letter from any picture and identify its font and its size?

Any takers? I think thats interesting..

eyeRmonkey

Nov 14th, 2005, 05:11 PM

When will the next contest be? Do any mods have the time to host one?

RobDog888

Nov 14th, 2005, 09:13 PM

They already have a few sites that can do that. They ask you questions and then at the end they tell you which font it is that your looking for.

|2eM!x

Nov 15th, 2005, 12:42 AM

But i dont want to do it with questions or anything..just a picture of a letter or something..Doesnt anyone else think thats a good idea?

Merri

Nov 15th, 2005, 04:40 AM

|2eM!x

Nov 15th, 2005, 06:36 PM

私 <- go ahead and code a detect! Yup, doing it for 65535 characters and all the fonts on the system... it takes time :)

Also, if you install Far East Language support, your Windows can do character detection all by itself. Just draw a letter and Windows tells you which character it is. Of course it doesn't tell which font is the closest, but that doesn't really matter. Which I guess is the point.

Well not how i was thinking of doing it..maybe i dont know what im saying (probably)..but i was thinking of usign a picture box to print out a letter into it, and then compare the two..

|2eM!x

Nov 15th, 2005, 07:47 PM

What about fastest home grown vb string function?
Mid,Len,Right,Left etc?

Devion

Nov 25th, 2005, 03:28 AM

Time to liven up the contests again? It's seems rather dead here =/

eyeRmonkey

Nov 26th, 2005, 11:19 PM

I'm DIEING to have another contest. I don't care if I fail miserably, I just really like them. Do any mods have time? It would be an awesome thing to do over winter break. Maybe its just me that has free time then though. I guess a lot of people are busy.

dglienna

Nov 26th, 2005, 11:22 PM

I like the idea of solving this:

http://vbforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=43019

eyeRmonkey

Nov 26th, 2005, 11:50 PM

Sounds like hacking to me. It would definitly be cool though. A good chance for me to learn GDI too. We couldn't make it too complex (gradients) though.

dglienna

Nov 27th, 2005, 12:04 AM

Someone's sure to do it though. Then they'll change things, just like they did when they were one font.

Devion

Nov 27th, 2005, 06:09 AM

Why not have bigger contests with more cooperation so to speak, things like making BotWars or messenger clones which can be rated on looks, usability and speed. etc :)

Those things have one thing in common, they all have a common server and the ability to interact with other players (multiplayer so to speak ;))

eyeRmonkey

Nov 27th, 2005, 09:14 PM

We have to find a mod that is willing first...

Devion

Nov 28th, 2005, 02:18 AM

True :/

Pino

Nov 28th, 2005, 07:45 AM

I'm allways willing if there is enough interest.

Devion

Nov 28th, 2005, 08:10 AM

I think there is enough interest if you look at my poll in the Classic VB forum :)

Atleast 5 so far, which would be good for a contest. and Imho there is no need for prices, the glory of winning should be enough to boost their ego ;)

Dave Sell

Nov 30th, 2005, 01:26 PM

Suggestion: The Sieve of Eratosthenes

http://www.math.utah.edu/classes/216/assignment-07.html

I spose drumming up interest is really the hard part.

eyeRmonkey

Nov 30th, 2005, 01:39 PM

I guess if Pino is willing then we just need to come up with a contest to have. Considering that is the whole point of this thread, we should be able to narrow it down to something. Does anyone have any favorites. We can narrow it down then take a vote in CC or something.

Pino

Nov 30th, 2005, 02:03 PM

If someone PM's me with a suggestion list of new contest (as many as you wnat) i'll create a thread in chitchat stick it up and you can all vote. Just PM me

Pino or catch me on msn

eyeRmonkey

Nov 30th, 2005, 03:41 PM

Suggestion: The Sieve of Eratosthenes

http://www.math.utah.edu/classes/216/assignment-07.html

I spose drumming up interest is really the hard part.
That is such a great idea that is has already been done. Prime numbers was the contest before last.

I like math contests though. Maybe pascal's triangle? Speed would be the goal again. How fast you can calculate the nth row of the triangle. That wouldn't be much of a challange though. Almost all the code would be the same and whoever could optimize the most would win (Merri ;)).

Raedwulf

Dec 1st, 2005, 03:37 AM

RobDog888

Dec 1st, 2005, 04:01 AM

How about a speech-to-code generator program. You speak the code and it will be auto-typed into a textbox or textfile. :D

Raedwulf

Dec 1st, 2005, 05:58 AM

Speech recognition? - not sure if i have all the time in the world to do it though :) - nice idea nevertheless.

eyeRmonkey

Dec 1st, 2005, 09:53 AM

The Sieve of Eratosthenes sounds very intersting - but you said its already been done???

Why not have the contest to generate all prime numbers to a number n. - not necessarily having to use the Sieve of Eratosthenes? - so we can implement variations and our own ideas - if its possible.
The Sieve of Eratosthenes has NOT already been done, but a prime number contest has. It is very similar and I think there are enough good ideas in here that we could chose something else.

I love math so anything relating to that sounds great to me. I'll try to take some time this weekend and weed through these ideas for some good ones.

Raedwulf

Dec 1st, 2005, 10:35 AM

ahhhh ok :) - i only joined the forums for the last contest lol :)

btw - http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/hacker-howto.html#what_is

Merri

Dec 2nd, 2005, 01:50 AM

The Sieve of Eratosthenes has NOT already been done, but a prime number contest has. It is very similar and I think there are enough good ideas in here that we could chose something else.

My implementation appeared to be the Sieve of Erathosthenes in it's most pure VB6 speed optimized form one can do. I didn't win the contest though because I didn't optimize listbox display (I still don't understand why the listbox was benchmarked).

Raedwulf

Dec 2nd, 2005, 03:14 AM

Nice display pic :)
lol - benchmarking listbox :D

Hmmmm btw...what has happened to all the entries and info about the previous contests - there should be a hall of fame and shame :)

Yeah probably another maths related problem should be done as those pose more ingenious solutions and do not require too much tedious programming.

btw - this looks cool :)
http://www.recmath.com/contest/description.php

its actually an on going competition - but let's change the rules slightly. - best solution + best time :) What d'ya think ;)

Devion

Dec 2nd, 2005, 03:31 AM

Just wondering.. why math? There are more aspects to coding then just math. (and I suck at math which is the reason I'm writing this ;))

eyeRmonkey

Dec 2nd, 2005, 03:45 AM

Well thats fine too. Whats your idea?

Raedwulf

Dec 2nd, 2005, 03:50 AM

Well maths is fun - especially when you get your program to solve it for you :).
I'm voting for that circle one- it seems very 'challenging' :D

Raedwulf

Dec 2nd, 2005, 04:01 AM

There's a whole set of older problems we could dig into here - http://www.recmath.com/contest/archives.php

Devion

Dec 2nd, 2005, 04:20 AM

A challenge.. make an AI bot that can fight other AI bots made by other players. Requires a central server thingy tho :]

Raedwulf

Dec 2nd, 2005, 04:41 AM

Lol :) - thats maths related - Artificial intelligence - path-finding minimum connector etc. etc.

Raedwulf

Dec 2nd, 2005, 04:42 AM

Anyone interested with sorting algorithms :)???

Devion

Dec 2nd, 2005, 04:54 AM

Lol :) - thats maths related - Artificial intelligence - path-finding minimum connector etc. etc.

Semi math related.. not totally. picture this; The bots run in unknown space. The server has a specific boundary of which any bot runs through will end up on the other side (like the old snake games) - Bots would have several functions to use depending on the energy reserve they have. [Scan], [Move], [Fire], [Pass]. the 3 actions basically would require 2 variables. Angle and Energy. The bot has to figure out how much it would need to fire a certain length.

The ultimate goal would be for someone to make a bot that kills, maims and causes overall destruction over the battlefield :]

eyeRmonkey

Dec 2nd, 2005, 06:47 AM

Not a bad idea devion. I have no idea how servers work (or how to connect to one in VB).

I just got finished with a term of Robotics. We used Lego Mindtorms and did some pretty cool stuff.

Raedwulf

Dec 2nd, 2005, 07:35 AM

Yeah thats a cool idea - hmmmmmm would this be like 1v1 or FFA?
Could there be obstacles - so path finding would have to be achieved ....or maybe we could start off with your idea as first contest - then second contest - we would need obstacles etc....

Hmmmmm - a server system - yer...i guess so :) - and for fun we could have a human controlled players too :).

Devion

Dec 2nd, 2005, 11:54 AM

A server and a client.. Both present a few challenges to overcome :)

- A network protocol
- Client protocol handling
- Server protocol handling
- Game loop
- Authentication (we don't want people nick-stealing)
- Scoreboard
- Anti-Cheat practices
- 2d rendering techniques for those that wanna play themselves
- AI Method practices for those that don't wanna play themselves ;)

And whatever comes to mind during development of client and server. Though the server should be made by one person who doesn't want to participate with the Challenge imho. The challenge would be only the client.

Extra features would be:
- Team based
- Fog of War
- PvP instead of bots

Though the initial idea I posted was only Bots versus Bots (each game could take like only 1 minute with >40 frags on the score .. depending on the bot skills tho :}

CVMichael

Dec 2nd, 2005, 12:12 PM

That's a nice idea...
Too bad I don't have time for this :cry: :cry:

bpd

Dec 2nd, 2005, 12:55 PM

I like the Pancake contest on the recmath.com site linked to by Raedwulf.

In a similar vein, perhaps we could have a contest to determine the best solver for a Tile Slide game. By way of description, a Tile Slide game is traditionally a 4x4 array of 15 tiles numbered 1 to 15. The object is to get all tiles lined-up sequentially (left to right, top to bottom) by sliding tiles into the empty, 16th slot.

Solvers could/should handle puzzles of different sizes.

And like the Pancake contest, there could be two parts to the contest. One part to determine the "best" solver (as determined by the # of moves solved and, in case of a tie, time to solve) and another part to determine the hardest puzzle (as determined by the minimum # of moves needed to solve).

Also, like the Pancake contest, both the starting puzzle arrangements and solutions are in a simple format - just a list of numbers (where zero could represent the empty slot in starting arrangements). This should make the interface and scoring relatively easy.

Raedwulf

Dec 2nd, 2005, 02:17 PM

ahhhhh---time consumption detected :)
Btw- we got quite a few ideas collected now - someone care to make a list and maybe poll the suggestions?

bpd

Dec 2nd, 2005, 02:30 PM

ahhhhh---time consumption detected :)
Only as a means of breaking a tie.

Come to think of it, there may be a better way. Use solutions to successively larger puzzles as the tie breaker. That is to say, if more than one person has the best solution for a 3x3 game board, the winner is determined by the one with the best solution for the 4x4 game board (etc.). Of course, if two or more people created perfect solvers (ones that always gave the best results regardless of board size), there'd still need to be some way to determine a winner.

Raedwulf

Dec 2nd, 2005, 02:37 PM

no i was referring to general programming time :) - sohould have quoted what i was referring too but i forgot

A server and a client.. Both present a few challenges to overcome

- A network protocol
- Client protocol handling
- Server protocol handling
- Game loop
- Authentication (we don't want people nick-stealing)
- Scoreboard
- Anti-Cheat practices
- 2d rendering techniques for those that wanna play themselves
- AI Method practices for those that don't wanna play themselves

And whatever comes to mind during development of client and server. Though the server should be made by one person who doesn't want to participate with the Challenge imho. The challenge would be only the client.

Extra features would be:
- Team based
- Fog of War
- PvP instead of bots

eyeRmonkey

Dec 2nd, 2005, 04:03 PM

I like the server game idea, but I would have no idea to where to begin so it would have to be teams for me to participate and even then I wouldn't be able to contribute much to my team. But, thats just me. :)

The last contest was a puzzle solver so I think we should do something else. Not a bad idea though.

The server idea sounds cool but would take my entire winter break + a month.

I guess we could start a poll, but wich ideas should we include? I think we need more that havn't been done in recent contest but wouldn't take 3 months to complete. Thats just my opinion though.

Merri

Dec 2nd, 2005, 11:30 PM

I started to think about some simpler contest idea: what about a cannon AI? Here is the scenario: there is a airplane/car/ship/spaceship/whatever moving on the playfield. The task is to code an AI for the gun so that it makes hits on the object. The challenge would be to determine what path the object is taking so that the gunfire would hit the object.

the gun would stay still, but it could rotate
the gun would get information about the angle where the object is and how far away it is
the gun would know where the object is heading to (ie. the end position)
the object could vary its speed and path, but would be time limited to get to its target
the object would never die, but hits are counted
the object would have a speed limit
the gun would have a limited ammo
the gun would have a reloading time
the gun would know the speed of the bullet

The object could be both player controlled and for the contest quality test it should have a possibility to code premade player movements. After the contest it would be very interesting to have another contest in which the target would be to make an object that avoids the gunfire as much as it can :)

I think I could be able to code a VB6 base engine for this in a day or two.

eyeRmonkey

Dec 3rd, 2005, 03:15 AM

That sounds like an awesome idea Merri! I really like it. Speed isn't as much of an issue so I might have a chance, although the coding would have to be very creative. :)

I would definitly be up for that. Would we all get to see the game engine before we started? Wow. Thats sounds awesome. I almost don't want to start a poll anymore, but maybe we should?

Does anyone else like this idea?

EDIT: You should also write some simple graphics to go with it. It could literally be some circles and squares, but I think it would make it a ton cooler just to have a little visual stuff to go with it. It might not be worth the effort though.

dglienna

Dec 3rd, 2005, 03:25 AM

Nah, the asnwer would have to be 42!

Raedwulf

Dec 3rd, 2005, 04:17 AM

Hmmmm dglienna, you suggesting a program to calculate the ultimate question of 6x9 :D

Raedwulf

Dec 3rd, 2005, 04:20 AM

Merri, sounds like a bit of relative velocity :) and guess work :) - ai would be rather limited :P.

Connect 4 anyone?

Merri

Dec 3rd, 2005, 04:36 AM

Raedwulf: not actually, if you think about it: the shooter (= gun ai) would know, that some time the object MUST move, must start moving somewhere, must be heading for it's target... the AI just has to figure out when is the best time to shoot so it would get a hit. We've had a contest a bit like this before: it was the pathfinding contest. You get very limited information, but it is still possible to make it work well.

eyeRmonkey: yeah, I thought it to be visual. Otherwise it wouldn't be very exciting and it would be hard to code as you couldn't see anything. By separating the engine from the code I could keep improving the visual side of the thing and it would stay perfectly compatible with what you've already coded.

Merri

Dec 3rd, 2005, 08:59 AM

I've now made a basis for the engine. It is pretty much your basic game engine: it targets 30 FPS for graphical display, it makes 90 ticks in second for internal operation (and DoEvents) to work smoothly and the rest of time time it idles (sleeps). There is no 100% processor usage. It gives me a constant 0% :) It is able to handle up to 32767 bullets and has gravity and pressure, so I guess we'll be shooting down a helicopter or an UFO.

Raedwulf

Dec 3rd, 2005, 10:52 AM

Ok sounds good :) - if you get an engine ready - ill probably code for it.

eyeRmonkey

Dec 3rd, 2005, 08:37 PM

Sweet! I'll PM Pino to start a thread in CC to gain interest. Maybe he can start a poll asking people if they would be up for it or not.

Merri

Dec 4th, 2005, 12:58 AM

I need to test if this sceleton works with everyone who are interested. So here is the current source, see if it runs properly on your machine. It should give you 30 FPS and a bit less than 90 MPS (moves per second... didn't come up with a better name).

Todo:
- the object
- mode 1: human player movement for the object
- mode 2: some kind of scripting that allows the movement of the object via a premade script
- mode 3: (alternative) object AI, tries to get to the goal avoiding the gun shots
- the gun
- a simple class module that can be given as the base for coding the AI

Maybe I just make a common object interface for all that... it would be fun to control the gun too with a small code change :D

eyeRmonkey

Dec 4th, 2005, 03:12 AM

Looks cool. I guess the point is that those bullets are falling due to gravity? I didn't really have time to absorb all the code.

Yeah it definitly needs to be class-wrapped into an engine (eventually).

I'm not 100% clear on what the goal/plan is for this contest. I mean if the programmer gets TOO much info then it will get to a point where they never miss. Will the object be accelerating/deccelerating? Will we not know the direction/speed the object is moving and have to calculate it ourselves after getting info about its postion a couple times (maybe we (the gun) only get info every 3 seconds on the position of the target). Then we would have to plot its course and anticipate its movements.

What were your thoughts for it Merri?

eyeRmonkey

Dec 4th, 2005, 03:20 AM

BTW Merri. You are genius. You amaze me with your programming skills. You're really good at speeding things up. Like pre-calculating the sin/cos tables. I mean, your crazy. It's cool though.

Are you going to partcipating in the contest, since you are making the engine and all? Just curious.

Also, here is how I envisioned it:
* Engine does 99% of the work for the object's movement and all of the graphics work
* Programmer (gun) is only given limited info and has to make calculations based on that
* After calculations are done, the programmer throws back a few numbers into the engine and it shows what happened and then decides if hits were made or not.

The way you mentioned a base class module for the AI I was thinking that we wre thinking about it differently. Thats fine I was just hoping for some clearificaiton.

I was also picturing a more shell-oriented type cannon instead of a bullet-oriented gun. But either way is fine. I'm not saying you need to change it, I'm just kind of rambling because I have been thinking about this all night. I can't wait to get started.

Great idea :)

Merri

Dec 4th, 2005, 03:41 AM

To clarify, yes, you get limited information. You never get too detailed information. For example, you won't know directly if the target is stopping to turn around: you get to know that it is looking elsewhere and you get to know the distance and angle in which way it is. But the AI must figure by itself if it is a good time to shoot.

Some cool features include that when you command the cannon to rotate, it will take a while for it to do it. You get the information about the changed angle, but you have to do things beforehand: you can't do two lines of code "turn around and shoot", because that would just start the process of turning around and shoots immediately. It won't wait until the turning is complete before it shoots. This gives you interesting possibilities: you could command the cannon to turn around one single time and shoot several times while it is turning!

The AI intelligence will be updated 90 times in a second, so the code can't be too sloppy or slow. Luckily most of it is just basic math.

I'm coding the basics right now, ie. the exact stuff you will be dealing with. I'm leaving room for improvement, so that I'll be improving and fixing the engine the same time you others code AIs. I don't have the time to think about the AI myself, so I can't participate :) You others can concentrate to the main thing: coding a great AI.

Edit Oh, and I fixed the issue of having too small FPS and MPS: they're both now constantly 30 and 90 (except if the computer is too slow, it skips stuff in that case).

Precalculating Sin and Cos is a basic thing to do, it was one of the first things that one can find in a game programming tutorial :)

eyeRmonkey

Dec 4th, 2005, 04:05 AM

Well I am still somewhat new to VB in the sense that I have only been at this about 6 months and I have only read 1 (and a half) books on the subject and that I havn't had any real training.

I am REALLY excited to do this context (have I said that enough). I am in Physics and Calculus this year and this is an awesome way to apply what I have learned. I think I'm going to talk my Physics teacher into helping me with this if I get stuck (although I don't think I will) because he is a big nerd and would love to help on a "video game" if you would call it that.

I like the idea of you working on the engine as we work on the AI. I don't really mind having to re-work my code to accomodate your changes as long as they are worth-while.

AHHHH! I can't wait!!! I wish I could rep you a million times for thinking up this idea and taking the time to write the engine. Major props man!

eyeRmonkey

Dec 4th, 2005, 04:22 AM

A couple other things that are kind of obvious but I thought I would throw out anyway:
* The most obvious one is to have the 90 MPS part (where the AI is updated) made into an event and you can declare the class WithEvents so you would end up with a cEngine_AIUpdate event that has to be exectured 90 times per second. (Did I repeat myself enough there?)
* Have an internal game timer so the AI can querey a .Time property so we can all be working with the same time. This helps when estimating the velocity of the object (if that is something we will need to do).

You mentioned the object will be flying. Will it also be accelerating and/or rising up and down? I guess it kind of has to be at some point.

Merri

Dec 4th, 2005, 04:38 AM

Yes, I've thought about a helicopter. The cannon will be on ground and there is a helicopter that will try to fly from left to right. However, this helicopter will slow down or speed up, gain height or go down based either on user control, premade script (this makes benchmarking possible) or another AI. The funny part is that one of my challenges will be to figure out how to make helicopter stay still if nothing is done so that it won't fall to the ground!

There will be no WithEvents. You make the AI class and it will be linked to a sprite via code and it will run from there. You only code in to the one Sub. Nowhere else. Everything else is done for you, so basically if I change something, you only need to paste the new replacement code into your class module and leave your own sub as it is :)

This is what I currently have done:
Private Sub Sprite_Update()
' this occurs always when the sprite can decide what it should do
'
' this is where you code the AI
'
' Variables you can use:
' - LineOfSight: angle where the gun points
' - X and Y: sprite position on the playfield
' - ID: sprite ID
'
' Enemies:
' - Enemies(0 To EnemyCount - 1): current information about an enemy (DO NOT CHANGE HERE!)
' - GetEnemyCount: tells how many known enemies there are

End Sub

Uhhuh. Lots of information here. But it gets simpler once the background stuff is all working nicely. Yet one question: should there be obstacles in the way?