User:Void Singer/Challenge

[Functional Challenge]

What is it?

The [Functional Challenge] is a periodic scripting competition to encourage the use of innovative solutions to different problems faced by LSL scripters in Second Life. Contestants are judged on Size, and Speed of the coded function based solely on the test script(s)/criterion provided by the challenge post so that anyone may verify the results. More categories may be added later.

Who Can Enter?

Any SL Resident with access to the Scripting Tips Forum is welcome to compete. Currently this means any SL Resident with payment info on file, that has registered to post on the forum. The competition may latter be moved to a different venue to widen the competition base.

Who came up with this?

The original idea was the Brainchild of Lazink Maeterlinck and formalized with input from Jesse Barnett and Void Singer.

How do I enter?

There is no sign up; simply post your solution to the current forum thread before the deadline stated in that thread.

Who Picks The Next Challenge

For ease of deciding, the winner of the current Functional Challenge may pick the time and content. If you have an idea for the next Functional Challenge, you can either include it in a post to the current challenge, or place the suggestion on this page with the date. If the current winner (or their proxy) does not choose a new challenge then the first person to post a new challenge on the next available date may decide (to prevent long lapses by absentee winners).

What's In It For Me?

• First and foremost is exposure. Your name goes down as the originator of the code, which demonstrates your expertise and finesse to potential clients.
• Second, You'll have control of the next Functional Challenge, which means more possible exposure, and your choice of Challenge topic.
• Third, there is discussion of having people sponsor the challenge with a prize. This may be the previous winner, or an interested 3rd party, and will definitely be optional to each new challenge.

Rules:

1. All entries should contain the results of the test scripts first.
2. All entries should contain your solution code. (ie not the entire test script(s)).
3. All entries should use consistent logical indentation of code and comments (within PHP tags).
4. All entries should be commented to explain any hacks or optimizations for inexperienced lsl scripters.
5. All entries WILL be public domain, free to copy and use by anyone, without restriction. (remember, we're trying to encourage good programming AND use)
6. Winning submissions will be posted as "LIBRARY: <insert code description>" by the Challenge poster, to the forums with credit to the code's author, as public domain. They may also be linked to or reproduced on this page.

Guidlines For New Challenge Posts

Length And Period

• Begin dates should optimally be before Friday, to include weekends.
• End dates should be at least 5-7 days later, and not more than 14 days.
• End Times could possibly be set at GMT or SLT midnight.(ex: Wednesday through Sunday Midnight GMT.)
• Winners (or their Proxies) should be considered Absentee if no new Challenge is issued within 7 days of the last challenge's close date.
• Focus should probably be on simpler ideas, ones that can easily be attempted within a day or so to allow the largest contestant pool based on experience.

Conditions

• All testing materials should be linked or provided within the post.
• Should be clearly stated, and easy to judge by anyone viewing the Challenge.
• Special categories that cannot be judged by indifferent means should be avoided (for example "Style").

Challenge Status

Current Challenge

• <closed|open|pending> Title Description + <link to post if open | to library if closed + [winners name(category)]>

Previous Challenges

• Clamp Vector Elements (in the Range of [0, X]) Winner: Cerise Sorbet (Fastest & Smallest)
  • Special Note: This specific competition was not part of the Function Challenge, but provided a template for it. It is included for historical note only.

Test Scripts

LSO Function Size Test Script

<lsl> integer cBASE_BYTES = 62138; string cTEXT = " Bytes";

//--// insert function here //--//

default{

 state_entry(){
   llOwnerSay( (string)(llGetFreeMemory() - cBASE_BYTES) + cTEXT );
 }

} </lsl>

LSO Function Speed Test Script

• not written yet

Suggestions For New Challenge Posts

Simple 6pt Compass

• Format: string fStrCompassFacing( rotation vRotInput );
• Conditions: Smallest and/or Fastest.
• Details: create a function that takes a rotation and returns a string with the region relative facing in the format of [N|S][E|W][U|D] (North, South, East, West, Up, Down). valid output examples are any of the following N, E, S, W, U, D, NE, NEU, NED, NW, NWU, NWD, EU, ED, SE, SEU, SED, WU, WD.

Comments

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