User talk:DanBron/Game of Nim
Code Golf
Given the spirit of friendly competition on RC, I thought it might be fun to introduce a new kind of RC challenge, different from the usual "implement this algorithm" type of task: code golf.
The idea is to have a simple, but not trivial, task, where the challenge is more in whittling it down to its essentials than in innovating in the algorithm or extending functionality.
I've seen some misgivings about code-golf expressed elsewhere on RC, so I'm using this task to test the waters. My hope is that it will be a fun break for established users, draw the attention of new users, and will be invigorating generally. If that pans out, then we could create a class or category for code-golf, distinct from the typical "task" template.
Of course, because code-golf is quantifiable, it's more liable to cause disruptive competition between language camps. To forestall that and keep the competition friendly, I tried to make it clear that code-golf is to be considered a competition _within a single language_ and that it doesn't really make sense to compare _across languages_ (just as it doesn't make sense to compare "the shortest story" in English vs Chinese; English and Chinese have totally different concepts of what a written "word" is).
Anyway, seeing as this is a test case, I'd appreciate your feedback and comments.