Google Code Jam 2003 : Tough problems. Intense competition. No pressure.

Google is bowling a googly again. This time it is to the rugged coders. Google Code Jam 2003, is a coding contest which is essentially a timed, Internet-based test of programming skills. Leaving out the first prize of $10000, it might be also a lucarative oppurtunity to fetch you a job in google labs. You can use Java, C++, C# or VB.NET languages to solve the problems.

The top 500 coders selected from first round will be made to form a group of 10 in virtual rooms. All of them will be presented with the same set of three problems of escalating difficulty. The accurate solution in the shortest time just as a racy screenplay is awarded first place.

The challenge phase relies on breaking-code funda where each opponent is made to see other opponent’s code and pass test conditions to break it. Successful challenges score points and unsuccessful ones have points deducted. This seems to me as the most interesting and thrilling part as there is a head-on collision between coders.

Registration for the Google Code Jam 2003 opens on October 1st and ends on October 15th, 2003. Registration is unlimited, but only the top 500 scorers from the Qualification Round will advance to Round 1 of the Code Jam 2003 on October 24th.

TopCoder, a technology company specializing in programming tournaments, is helping google in creating a series of problems for programmers to solve.

Check out the official CODE JAM 2003 page. Also the google’s page about this contest.