Dyalog Ltd invites you to use the APL programming language and your problem solving skills to compete for a total of USD 6,500 in cash prizes and a paid trip to the next Dyalog user meeting.
Would you like to be able to translate know-how into computer-based solutions quickly and efficiently? 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 competition. Many previous winners of the competition learned APL after they heard about the competition. APL is easy to learn and fun to use, and this is your opportunity to profit from the experience!
You can win a cash prize without writing a single line of code! Just refer someone to the competition, and if they win a cash prize then you'll receive the same amount as a referral award.
If you're interested in the competition, but don't want to actively participate this year, please register – this will ensure that you're notified with updates on the competition.
To proceed through the competition, hit Next .
Getting started with any new programming language can seem like a daunting task so we've tried to simplify this process for you:
Start by consulting the APL Wiki's comprehensive index of learning resources. In particular, look at the materials from previous competitions.
If you have a generally applicable question (not a competition-specific one!), consider posting it on Stack Overflow. APL questions are usually answered very quickly there.
For technical problems, FAQs, advice and tips, browse the Dyalog Forums.
If you need more personalized or interactive advice, consider consulting an experienced APLer in The APL Orchard chatroom.
In addition, the core language is fully documented in the online documentation and the complete documentation set can be found in the Documentation Centre.
Only those in full-time education are eligible to win the majority of prizes, although there is a non-student prize that is available if you're not in full-time education.
You do not need to submit an entry in Phase II to win a Phase I prize, but to win a phase II or the non-student prize you must complete at least one Phase I problem and at least one problem in Phase II.
We reserve the right to choose the winners at our sole discretion. Although not anticipated, competition rules and prizes can be changed or altered at any time. The judges' decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into by the judges in relation to their decisions.
USD 2,500 cash prize and an invitation to attend the next Dyalog user meeting. At the user meeting, the winner will receive their prize and have the opportunity to present their winning work. Dyalog Ltd will cover all user meeting fees and travel costs up to USD 3,500, plus USD 500 for incidental expenses, for the winner, but not for family or friends. The winning student is responsible for visas, travel documents and other necessary arrangements and must be legally able to travel.
Update (07 July 2020): Traditionally, the Grand Prize winner of the APL Problem Solving Competition is invited to present their work at the annual Dyalog user meeting. Due to the lingering restrictions on travel and continued social distancing resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, Dyalog ’20 will now take place online and the previously-planned Portugal user meeting will take place in October 2021. The Grand Prize winner will, therefore, be invited to present their work online during Dyalog ’20 and will receive an expenses-paid invitation to attend Dyalog ’21 in Olhão, Portugal, 10-14 October 2021. They will still also receive the cash prize of USD 2,500.
USD 1,250 cash prize.
USD 750 cash prize.
USD 200 in cash to 5 participants who submit at least one correct entry for Phase II of the competition, selected at random.
USD 100 in cash to each of the top 10 Phase I participants.
One non-student participant will win complimentary registration and accommodation for the next Dyalog user meeting. The winning non-student is responsible for visas, travel documents and other necessary arrangements and must be legally able to travel.
While all prizes are denominated in U.S. dollars, they 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 and are unable or unwilling to accept the prize, you cannot transfer the prize or designate someone else as the winner. We reserve the right to award unclaimed prizes to the next highest scoring entrant.
If you accept a prize, you will be solely responsible for all applicable taxes related to accepting that prize.
You can win referral awards equal in value to the main cash prizes won by participants who you introduce to the competition.
You do not need to be a student or submit an entry yourself to earn a referral award. For example, if you are not a student but introduced the second prize winner and two winners of Phase II prizes, you would receive USD 1,650. If you are the student who won third prize and you also introduced the second prize winner, you would receive USD 2,000.
How do I indicate who referred me? Put the name and email address of your referrer into the "Referrer" input box on your Account details form. This form can be found by clicking the email/username button at the top-right of this page after you've logged in.
Note: All winners who did not indicate at the time of submission who introduced them will forfeit any matching referral awards. You cannot win a referral award for referring a participant of a previous competition.
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.
By entering the competition, you consent to the use by Dyalog Ltd of all images, text and materials 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 entering the competition you agree that if you win and subsequently participate in any promotional activities or material, you will do so without additional payment or permission.
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If you have feedback, or would like to ask a question that is not already answered here, please e-mail contest@dyalog.com.
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