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Thread: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

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    Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Any questions or problems related to the roman numeral converter contest please ask here!
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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    What notation is to be used for values exceeding 3,999?

    See Large Numbers

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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Rather than using the multiply by x rule, larger numbers exceeding 3,999 should be represented as the same as it would be in the smaller numbers. IE:
    Code:
    4010 = MMMMX
    4499 = MMMMCDXCIX
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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Ahh, but the normal "rule" is that there should never be 4 of a symbol in a row, i.e. IIII is wrong vs. IV.

    So MMMM should be invalid, MMMMM even more so.

    Of course we have no symbol for 5000 (call it "Z") so we can't do 4000 as ZM or something.

    I could live with MMMM for 4000, MMMMM for 5000, I just wanted to know whether that should be considered correct.
    Last edited by dilettante; Mar 31st, 2015 at 06:16 PM.

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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Rules say "console application" but what does this mean?

    I.e. should the program process a single value per run from the command line and write to StdOut?

    Or should it read from StdIn and write to StdOut until "EOF" on input? If so, how would inputs and outputs be delimited? Newline?

    How does the program know whether it was fed a decimal number or a Roman number to convert? Autosensing?

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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Rules say "console application" but what does this mean?
    I will be testing the code on ideone so it would need to be able to compile there. So basically do not make the code rely on controls.

    How does the program know whether it was fed a decimal number or a Roman number to convert? Autosensing?
    That would be apart of the accuracy mark. Do you allow yours to only be fed one or the other? Did you make sure that only digits 1 - 5,000 can be inputted? Did you inform the user of an error or do you let the compiler throw an exception?
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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Hmm, so ideally the program should autosense which kind of number was inputted?

    And does this mean StdIn input with one input value per line? And StdOut with one output per line?

    And is error checking part of the problem to be solved or can the code assume valid inputs between 1 and 5000? Space trimming required too?

    Not being nitpicky, just wondering how to proceed.

    Not really interested since "only .Net need apply" but others may have these same questions.

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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Hmm, so ideally the program should autosense which kind of number was inputted?
    That would certainly give the best marks!

    And does this mean StdIn input with one input value per line? And StdOut with one output per line?
    Yep.

    And is error checking part of the problem to be solved or can the code assume valid inputs between 1 and 5000? Space trimming required too?
    Whenever I'm grading the submissions, I will be inputting invalid digits such as negative numbers, zero, and any number over five thousand. I'll also input invalid numerals such as lower-cased numerals, invalid characters, and spaces between the numerals. The grading will be the best if the converter can guess what the user was attempting to do and inform the user if it was unable to guess where as the grading will be the worst if it just allows the compiler to throw an exception.

    Not really interested since "only .Net need apply" but others may have these same questions.
    I really want people with any of the languages listed posted submit their projects. That's why only 3 out of the 10 languages listed are .NET languages.
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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    How is this "only .NET need apply?"

    The languages listed are:

    C, C#, C++, F#, Java, LUA, Perl, Python, VB Classic(4, 5, and 6), and VB.Net
    I'll probably give this a shot... Debating whether I want to do it in C# or Python. I've never really bothered with anything other than basic roman numerals (Rocky I-V haha), so this will definitely be new territory for me.

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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Point being that ideone.com does not support VB, only VB.Net.

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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by dilettante View Post
    Point being that ideone.com does not support VB, only VB.Net.
    If I were to get classic VB projects then I would get a moderator with classic VB installed to grade the application.
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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Or we could just include the compiled EXE

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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Just an FYI to everyone, we have officially received our first contest entry for this contest.

    Side Note - This is the first contest entry received since Dec 2nd, 2007!
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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Another question (really sort of one anyway):

    Multiple submissions allowed (multiple languages or algorithms)?

    Resubmissions allowed (bug discovered, improved error handling, performance, etc.)?

    If so, how? Submit with a number suffix in the title?

    Or one to a customer? Good reason not to rush.

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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Multiple submissions allowed (multiple languages or algorithms)?
    No, I'd prefer that you put your best foot forward and use the language that executes the quickest along with algorithm that executes the quickest.

    Resubmissions allowed (bug discovered, improved error handling, performance, etc.)?
    I've already taken one resubmit so it would be unfair if I said no to this, however I'm limiting it to just one resubmission.

    If so, how? Submit with a number suffix in the title?
    No, I just delete the prior submission and you can submit the new one with no issues.
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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by dday9 View Post
    Rather than using the multiply by x rule, larger numbers exceeding 3,999 should be represented as the same as it would be in the smaller numbers. IE:
    Code:
    4010 = MMMMX
    4499 = MMMMCDXCIX
    Why not just change the rules to only 1 - 3999?
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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Because the contest was already started with the upper-bounds of 5,000. I didn't think of the multiply by x rule when the contest started.
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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by dday9 View Post
    I'll also input invalid numerals such as lower-cased numerals,
    What is better accept lower case numerals as far as they are valid or refuse even they are valid?



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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    If your code allows the acceptance of lower case numerals then that is better than if it simply throws an exception or error.
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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    I have finished my solution, what is next? Post the exe, source code or both?

    If i post the source code, will it be public before the Deadline April 10th, 2015?



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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    The FAQ says you can submit it to the "Contest Entry" subforum and it will not be visible to anyone other than moderators.

    For our submissions -- do we need to include unit tests or anything? Or is it just the application code?

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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by 4x2y View Post
    What is better accept lower case numerals as far as they are valid or refuse even they are valid?
    Have you ever wanted to punch your computer when it comes up with the error 'only upper case letters allowed.'?

    Is it hard to use .ToUpper on a string, or is should that be the responsibility of the user?

    Do these questions answer your question?
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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    So I'm able to see submissions in the contest entry forum. 4x2y's submission is appearing to me... Is the FAQ wrong?

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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Yeah... The way that the entries work is that it waits for moderator approval, and we're just not suppose to approve them until the contest is over. However, the other moderators are just accepting which is making them visible so I'm having to move them to a moderator forum only until the end of the contest.
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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Are you awarding a winner for each language? If not, on what bases will you compare a solution in language $x to one in language $y?

    Can I submit a solution in an exotic language that you haven't mentioned? (I think I'm probably disqualified anyway!)

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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Are you awarding a winner for each language? If not, on what bases will you compare a solution in language $x to one in language $y?
    No, it will be judge primarily by the 3 factors mentioned: accuracy, length, and execution. When comparing from x to y the main factor will more than likely be execution and then accuracy.

    Can I submit a solution in an exotic language that you haven't mentioned? (I think I'm probably disqualified anyway!)
    Typically moderators can't submit in contest, but considering that you're not judging I don't see why you can't.
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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Darn, so no points for "diagnostic quality" hmm?

    Better to just blurt a generic "bad input" than report "can't have X before D" and so on? Since brevity gets scored.

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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by SJWhiteley View Post
    Have you ever wanted to punch your computer when it comes up with the error 'only upper case letters allowed.'?

    Is it hard to use .ToUpper on a string, or is should that be the responsibility of the user?

    Do these questions answer your question?
    Of course i know how to use .ToUpper
    Please read my post #18 carefully, my question was replaying to dday9's quote
    "I'll also input invalid numerals such as lower-cased numerals,"
    According to that quote, dday9 considers lower-cased numerals are invalid!, i wondered too and asked to see if this is a strict rule.



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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by kfcSmitty View Post
    So I'm able to see submissions in the contest entry forum. 4x2y's submission is appearing to me... Is the FAQ wrong?
    Did you downloaded my source code? If yes, i think this is not fair play



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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by 4x2y View Post
    Did you downloaded my source code? If yes, i think this is not fair play
    haha I did download it, but just to see if maybe the forum wouldn't let me! I didn't peek, promise!

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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by kfcSmitty View Post
    haha I did download it, but just to see if maybe the forum wouldn't let me! I didn't peek, promise!
    I trust in you but what about others

    Seriously, I think i used a clever idea (at least i didn't see something like it before) to validate Roman Numeral inputs when converting from Roman to Decimal, so i hope judges consider the solution submit date/time if someone else used the same idea.



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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by 4x2y View Post
    I trust in you but what about others

    Seriously, I think i used a clever idea (at least i didn't see something like it before) to validate Roman Numeral inputs when converting from Roman to Decimal, so i hope judges consider the solution submit date/time if someone else used the same idea.
    From what I saw, it only had 4 downloads (including mine) when I downloaded it.. and the mods removed it fairly soon after that. I'm not sure if the forum caches that count, though...

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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    The only non-member(as far as my knowledge) that downloaded the file was kfcSmitty. I've talked with the other moderators and asked them that if they see a pending approval thread in the contest entries forum to allow me to handle it so that this does not happen again.
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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by dday9 View Post
    The only non-member(as far as my knowledge) that downloaded the file was kfcSmitty. I've talked with the other moderators and asked them that if they see a pending approval thread in the contest entries forum to allow me to handle it so that this does not happen again.
    I was able to download it but no worries, I am not entering the competition.
    Regards,


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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by dee-u View Post
    I was able to download it but no worries, I am not entering the competition.
    No problem

    It was good chance to look again in my code to enhance and optimize, i'm very satisfied with the final result, i have submitted version 2 of my solution.



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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by dday9 View Post
    The only non-member(as far as my knowledge) that downloaded the file was kfcSmitty. I've talked with the other moderators and asked them that if they see a pending approval thread in the contest entries forum to allow me to handle it so that this does not happen again.
    It happened again, I have seen Bulldog's post!!!



  37. #37
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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by 4x2y View Post
    It happened again, I have seen Bulldog's post!!!
    I saw it too!
    Regards,


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  38. #38
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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    I was a little upset to see PHP not on the list...

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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    Shouldn't the entries be hidden until contest is over?

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    Re: Contest 8 - Roman Numeral Converter - Discussion Thread

    They should, but unfortunately an admin approved Bulldog's entry... I've now moved it to a private area.

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