IEEE KPRIET ALGORUSH CODEATHON

Introduction

The ALGORUSH Codeathon, organized by IEEE KPRIET CS, IEEE KPRIET ITS, and IEEE KPRIET CIS as part of the IEEE Day 2024 celebrations, provided an electrifying platform for students to test and enhance their coding abilities. Held on 8th October 2024 at the NMS Lab, the event aimed to push the participants’ problem-solving and algorithmic thinking skills through a series of competitive coding challenges. The codeathon was designed to simulate real-world problem-solving scenarios in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, encouraging participants to think creatively and efficiently.

The event attracted a diverse group of coding enthusiasts from various departments, all eager to take on the challenges posed in the two-round structure of the codeathon. It offered not only an exciting competition but also a learning experience, as participants gained exposure to different coding approaches and optimization techniques.

Event Overview

The ALGORUSH Codeathon kicked off promptly at 10:00 AM IST with an initial briefing about the rules and structure of the event. The codeathon was structured in two rounds, each with increasing levels of difficulty.

Round 1 (45 minutes):
Participants were tasked with solving two algorithmic problems in 40 minutes, with an additional 5 minutes to transfer their final solutions to the provided answer sheets. The problems required creative thinking and the use of efficient data structures and algorithms. Participants used VS Code IDE with the choice of CPP, Java, or Python extensions. The submissions were evaluated based on sample test cases as well as hidden test cases to assess the correctness and robustness of their solutions. The top 50% of the participants advanced to the second round based on their performance.

Break (10 minutes):
After Round 1, participants had a short break, during which the organizers announced the list of qualifiers for Round 2. This provided an opportunity for participants to regroup and prepare for the next challenge.

Round 2 (50 minutes):
In this round, the difficulty level was raised, and participants were given two new algorithmic problems. They had 50 minutes to solve these problems using the same coding environment. The evaluation criteria remained stringent, with a focus on correctness, efficiency, and optimization. The second round allowed participants to showcase their deeper understanding of algorithms and coding techniques as they worked through more complex challenges under time constraints.

Coding Environment

  • The entire event was conducted using VS Code IDE, where different extensions were pre-installed on the lab computers. Participants could select from CPP, Java, or Python extensions, providing them flexibility based on their coding preferences.
  • Problems were accompanied by sample test cases to assist participants in verifying their solutions. Additionally, hidden test cases were used for final evaluation, ensuring that only the most optimized and correct solutions passed.

Key Highlights of the Event

  • The event followed a well-structured, two-round format that gradually increased in complexity, ensuring that only the most skilled coders advanced to the final round.
  • Participants were evaluated on correctness, efficiency (time and space complexity), and their ability to handle edge cases.
  • The competition fostered a spirit of innovation, encouraging participants to use advanced data structures and algorithms.
  • The judging process was thorough, taking into account not only the solutions provided but also the approach, optimization, and coding style of the participants.

Participant Engagement

The ALGORUSH Codeathon witnessed enthusiastic participation from students across various disciplines, with a significant number of coders actively engaging in the competition. The event provided a platform for students to explore their coding skills in a structured and competitive environment. The hands-on approach of solving real-world coding problems, coupled with time constraints, helped participants develop quick thinking and problem-solving abilities under pressure.

Conclusion

The ALGORUSH Codeathon was a resounding success, providing participants with a unique opportunity to challenge themselves, refine their coding skills, and think critically in a competitive yet collaborative environment. The event showcased the technical prowess of the participants while also highlighting the growing importance of algorithmic thinking and efficient problem-solving in today’s tech-driven world.

Prizes and Recognition

  • Top performers received mementos in recognition of their achievement.
  • All participants were awarded hardcopy certificates, celebrating their participation in this challenging and exciting event.