Welcome to the APL Challenge!
The deadline for the current round (2024.1) is Tuesday 30 April 2024 at 23:59 UTC ( ).
The APL Challenge is a quarterly event where you use APL to solve up to ten problems. Each round runs for three months, after which Dyalog Ltd awards three USD 100 prizes, with your chances of winning increasing based on the number of correct entries you submit.
Don't know APL? APL is an array-oriented programming language that will change the way you think about problems and data. It doesn't take long to learn enough to participate in the challenge. Many people have learnt APL by participating in past competitions – including winners ! APL is easy to learn and will allow you to translate your knowledge into computer-based solutions, quickly and efficiently.
Don't have time? If you're interested but don't want to actively participate in this round, please register anyway so that we can notify you of updates and inform you about future rounds. You can opt out at any time.
Overview
The APL Challenge consists of 10 problems:
3 problems, each of which requires you to write an expression that uses a single APL primitive.
3 problems, each of which requires an expression with 2 or 3 primitives.
4 problems that are somewhat more complex, requiring you to write your own one-liner function.
Developing your solutions
TryAPL is sufficient for developing your solutions. A full desktop development environment is also available for common platforms as a free download. Whichever environment you choose, you can produce APL symbols by clicking on them in the language bar above the input area.
When ready to test a solution, paste it into the input field at the bottom of the corresponding problem page and then hit Test or Enter . The system will now validate your solution. You can also type your solution directly into the input field.
Although you can begin without registering – most browsers will store your solutions until you register – you must be registered and logged in to submit solutions. When you're happy with a solution, hit Submit . The system will only allow you to submit valid solutions.
Are you ready to proceed? Click Next .Next
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Prizes
Anyone can win a prize except Dyalog employees and associates. We reserve the right to choose the winners at our sole discretion and will not enter into conversation about our choices.
All prizes are denominated in U.S. dollars, but can be awarded in U.S. dollars (USD), pounds sterling (GBP) or euros (EUR) by electronic transfer to a bank account or a PayPal account. No other forms of payment will be made.
If you are selected as a winner but are unable or unwilling to accept the prize, you cannot transfer the prize or designate someone else as the winner. Prizes must be claimed within three weeks of being notified or you forfeit the right to that prize.
If you accept a prize, you will be solely responsible for all applicable taxes related to accepting that prize.
Sponsors
Detailed rules
Conditions
All participants must submit to these rules.
Multiple registrations to a single round are not allowed. However, until the deadline, participants can submit replacement solutions. Only the last submitted solution for a given problem will be counted.
Participants must provide truthful and accurate information regarding contact and personal information.
Participants must not publish their solutions prior to the end of the challenge round. Doing so will be considered grounds for disqualification from the challenge round.
Only entries that are received by the deadline are eligible. We cannot accept responsibility for entries that are lost, delayed or damaged. Proof of sending an online entry is not proof that we received it.
Entries not submitted in accordance with these terms and all other rules and directions (at the sole discretion of Dyalog Ltd) will be excluded from the challenge round.
Your submission and its contents can be used at the discretion of Dyalog Ltd.
Collaboration
Participants must ensure that all solutions that they submit are produced and owned by them.
You can collaborate with others in learning APL and solving the problems, but each submission must be made by a single person and only that person will be eligible for a prize. Each collaborator can submit an entry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
In APL, how do I…?
In fairness to all, we cannot provide answers to challenge-specific questions. Instead, have a look at the Getting Started guide.
Does the possibility of winning prize money classify as commercial use of Dyalog?
No.
What do I do if there is a problem with this website or I have a question about a problem?
Please report any problems or direct any questions to challenge@dyalog.com .
I did not receive an email with a code when registering. What should I do?
Click Register again and wait for 5–10 minutes. Make sure you check your spam folder. If the code still doesn't come through, then please report the problem to challenge@dyalog.com .
Data protection and cookies
We use cookies to keep you logged in and to retain your solutions. By using this site, you agree to this.
We only collect the data necessary for the competition to run, and will use any personal information submitted in accordance with Dyalog Ltd's Privacy Policy .
At any time after you have registered and are logged in, you can erase all data that is stored about you as part of the competition by clicking the user button email@domain.com in the top right corner and selecting Erase account and data .
Consent to usage of information
By participating in the challenge, you consent to the use by Dyalog Ltd of all text and code that you submit, for any purpose, in any media, for an unlimited period, without remuneration. We have the right to publish, display, reproduce, adapt, promote or otherwise use entries in any way we deem fit. You warrant that you are legally entitled to grant these rights to us and agree to indemnify us in the event that we suffer any loss as a result of false information you provide.
By participating in the challenge, you agree that if you win and subsequently participate in any promotional activities or material, you will do so without additional payment or permission.
Disclaimers
We are not liable for any damage, loss or disappointment suffered by you for taking part or not being able to take part in this competition.
In the event of unforeseen circumstances, we may alter, amend or cancel the competition without prior notice.
We reserve the right to change these terms at any time.
These terms are governed by the Laws of England and Wales and all disputes subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
Technology
This site was constructed with, and runs on,
MiServer
MiServer , a free, open-source web server implemented in Dyalog APL. It enables the APL user to build sophisticated websites using the power of APL and with minimal knowledge of web technologies like HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.
To safely verify submissions, we use
Safe Execute for Dyalog APL , a tool developed by Adám Brudzewsky that validates APL expressions as non-destructive, covering built-ins if necessary, and executes them in a sandbox environment.
Contact
If you have feedback, or would like to ask a question that is not already answered here, please e-mail challenge@dyalog.com .