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Landon Curt Noll authored and GitHub committed 2025-11-30 12:29:35 -08:00
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faq.html
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<!-- BEFORE: 1st line of markdown file: faq.md -->
<h1 id="ioccc-faq-table-of-contents">IOCCC FAQ Table of Contents</h1>
<p>This is FAQ version <strong>29.02 2025-11-29</strong>.</p>
<p>This is FAQ version <strong>29.03 2025-11-30</strong>.</p>
<h2 id="entering-the-ioccc-the-bare-minimum-you-need-to-know">0. <a href="#enter_questions">Entering the IOCCC: the bare minimum you need to know</a></h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Q 0.0</strong>: <a class="normal" href="#enter">How can I enter the IOCCC?</a></li>
@@ -486,6 +486,7 @@
<li><strong>Q 1.10</strong>: <a class="normal" href="#download_submission">Can I download my submission tarball from the submit server?</a></li>
<li><strong>Q 1.11</strong>: <a class="normal" href="#del_submission">Can I delete a submission from the submit server?</a></li>
<li><strong>Q 1.12</strong>: <a class="normal" href="#makefile_details">What are the detailed recommendations for a submission Makefile?</a></li>
<li><strong>Q 1.13</strong>: <a class="normal" href="#github">May I use GitHub or other services to develop my submission?</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="ioccc-judging-process">2. <a href="#judging_process">IOCCC Judging process</a></h2>
<ul>
@@ -1698,6 +1699,14 @@ directory. And although it is not an error if this fails, if it fails because th
Makefile does not have a clobber rule, it will be flagged by <code>mkiocccentry(1)</code>
(you may ignore this but it does put you at a risk of violating the rules).</p>
<p>Jump to: <a href="#">top</a></p>
<div id="github">
<h3 id="q-1.13-may-i-use-github-or-other-services-to-develop-my-submission">Q 1.13: May I use GitHub or other services to develop my submission?</h3>
</div>
<p>While you may use your own git server or a publicly available service to develop
your submission, we <strong>DISLIKE</strong> submissions that require it. What’s more,
since it would possibly not be anonymous it would break the rules as you are
<strong>NOT</strong> allowed to reveal who you are.</p>
<p>Jump to: <a href="#">top</a></p>
<hr style="width:50%;text-align:left;margin-left:0">
<hr style="width:50%;text-align:left;margin-left:0">
<div id="judging_process">
faq.md
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@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
# IOCCC FAQ Table of Contents
This is FAQ version **29.02 2025-11-29**.
This is FAQ version **29.03 2025-11-30**.
## 0. [Entering the IOCCC: the bare minimum you need to know](#enter_questions)
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ This is FAQ version **29.02 2025-11-29**.
- **Q 1.10**: <a class="normal" href="#download_submission">Can I download my submission tarball from the submit server?</a>
- **Q 1.11**: <a class="normal" href="#del_submission">Can I delete a submission from the submit server?</a>
- **Q 1.12**: <a class="normal" href="#makefile_details">What are the detailed recommendations for a submission Makefile?</a>
- **Q 1.13**: <a class="normal" href="#github">May I use GitHub or other services to develop my submission?</a>
## 2. [IOCCC Judging process](#judging_process)
@@ -1644,6 +1645,17 @@ Makefile does not have a clobber rule, it will be flagged by `mkiocccentry(1)`
Jump to: [top](#)
<div id="github">
### Q 1.13: May I use GitHub or other services to develop my submission?
</div>
While you may use your own git server or a publicly available service to develop
your submission, we **DISLIKE** submissions that require it. What's more,
since it would possibly not be anonymous it would break the rules as you are
**NOT** allowed to reveal who you are.
Jump to: [top](#)
<hr style="width:50%;text-align:left;margin-left:0">
<hr style="width:50%;text-align:left;margin-left:0">
next/guidelines.html
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@@ -462,7 +462,7 @@ and remains unaltered. All other uses must receive prior permission in
writing by <a href="../contact.html">contacting the judges</a>.</p>
<h1 id="guidelines-version">Guidelines Version</h1>
<p class="leftbar">
These IOCCC guidelines are version <strong>29.01 2025-11-29</strong>.
These IOCCC guidelines are version <strong>29.02 2025-11-30</strong>.
</p>
<p class="leftbar">
The <span style="font-size:28px;"><b>|</b></span> symbol indicates an <strong>change</strong> from the previous IOCCC.
@@ -483,9 +483,9 @@ You should pay attention to our observations on
<a href="../2024/index.html#code-size-and-rule-2">code size and Rule 2 remarks for IOCCC28</a>.
</p>
<p>Your submission must satisfy <strong>BOTH</strong> the
<a href="rules.html#rule2a-gross-size">Rule 2a Gross Size</a>
<a href="rules.html#rule2a-gross-size">Rule 2a - Gross Size</a>
<strong>AND</strong>
<a href="rules.html#rule2b-net-size">Rule 2b Net Size</a> rules.</p>
<a href="rules.html#rule2b-net-size">Rule 2b - Net Size</a> rules.</p>
<p>To check your code against
<a href="rules.html#rule2-size">Rule 2 - Size restrictions</a>, use the <code>iocccentry(1)</code> tool.
For example:</p>
@@ -512,13 +512,6 @@ to get around the size limits of
because of the <code>iocccsize(1)</code> algorithm.</p>
<p>Yes Virginia, <strong>the previous guideline sentence is an important hint</strong>!</p>
<p>Jump to: <a href="#">top</a></p>
<div id="guideline3">
<div id="guideline-3---register">
<h1 id="guidelines-for-rule-3---register-for-the-ioccc">Guidelines for <a href="rules.html#rule3-register">Rule 3 - Register for the IOCCC</a></h1>
</div>
</div>
<p>See FAQ on “<a href="../faq.html#author_handle_faq">What is an author handle?</a>”.</p>
<p>Jump to: <a href="#">top</a></p>
<div id="guideline7">
<div id="guideline-7---original-work">
<h1 id="guidelines-for-rule-7---original-work">Guidelines for <a href="rules.html#rule7-original-work">Rule 7 - Original Work</a></h1>
@@ -540,7 +533,8 @@ authors who skillfully employed various techniques to develop their code.
If you do make use of such tools or services, then we <strong>ENCOURAGE you to
describe how you used such tools</strong> in your <code>remarks.md</code> file.</p>
<p>In short: You created it, you own it, its an original work, or you have explicit permission to the work.</p>
<p>See FAQ on “<a href="../faq.html#ai">May I use AI, LLM, Virtual coding assistants, or similar tools to write my submission?</a>”.</p>
<p>See the
FAQ on “<a href="../faq.html#ai">May I use AI, LLM, Virtual coding assistants, or similar tools to write my submission?</a>”.</p>
<p>Jump to: <a href="#">top</a></p>
<div id="guideline11">
<div id="guideline-11---abuse">
@@ -561,26 +555,24 @@ if not smaller.</p>
technically allowed by the <a href="rules.html">IOCCC rules</a> and yet do not fit the spirit of what
we intended to be submitted.</p>
<p>Legal abuse of the <a href="rules.html">IOCCC rules</a> is <strong>NOT</strong> an invitation to violate
the <a href="rules.html">IOCCC rules</a> (especailly <a href="./rules.html#rule-17---packaging">Rule 17 -
Packaging</a> ). A submission that violates the
the <a href="rules.html">IOCCC rules</a> (especially <a href="./rules.html#rule17-mkiocccentry">Rule 17 -
Use mkiocccentry</a>). A submission that violates the
<a href="rules.html">rules</a> in the opinion of the <a href="../judges.html">IOCCC judges</a>,
<strong>WILL</strong> be disqualified. <strong><em>RULE ABUSE CARRIES A CERTAIN LEVEL OF RISK!</em></strong></p>
<p>If you intend to abuse the <a href="rules.html">IOCCC rules</a>,
indicate so in your <code>remarks.md</code> file. You <strong>MUST</strong> try to justify, plead, beg,
why you consider your rule abuse to be allowed under the
<a href="rules.html">IOCCC rules</a>. Humor or creativity help plead a case.
As there is no guarantee that you will succeed, you might consider
submitting an alternate version that conforms to the
<a href="rules.html">IOCCC rules</a>.</p>
<p>If you have a submission that might otherwise be interesting, you might want to
submit two versions; one that does not abuse the <a href="rules.html">IOCCC rules</a> and
one that does, making sure to note in the one that does not abuse the rules that
this is another version, so that the judges do not assume you uploaded it by
mistake.</p>
<a href="rules.html">IOCCC rules</a>. Humor or creativity help plead a case.</p>
<p>As there is no guarantee that you will succeed, you might consider submitting an
alternate version that conforms to the <a href="rules.html">IOCCC rules</a>, if it might
otherwise be interesting; one that does not abuse the <a href="rules.html">IOCCC rules</a>
and one that does, making sure to note in the one that does not abuse the rules
that this is another version, so that the judges do not assume you uploaded it
by mistake.</p>
<p>If you do bypass the <code>mkiocccentry(1)</code> warnings about
<a href="rules.html#rule-2a-gross-size">Rule 2a - Gross Size</a>
<a href="rules.html#rule2a-gross-size">Rule 2a - Gross Size</a>
and/or about
<a href="rules.html#rule-2b-net-size">Rule 2b - Net Size</a>
<a href="rules.html#rule2b-net-size">Rule 2b - Net Size</a>
or any other
rule and submit a submission anyway, you <strong>MUST</strong> try to justify why the IOCCC
<a href="../judges.html">IOCCC judges</a> should not reject your submission due to a rule
@@ -593,7 +585,7 @@ in many cases such problems, flaws or areas of confusion are deliberate.</p>
<p>Changes to <a href="rules.html">IOCCC rules</a> and <a href="guidelines.html">IOCCC guidelines</a> in
response to rule abuses, are done in a minimal fashion. Often we will
deliberately leave behind holes (or introduce new ones) so that future rule
abuse can continue. A clever author should be able to read them and “drive a
abuse can continue. A clever author should be able to read and “drive a
truck through the holes” in the <a href="rules.html">IOCCC rules</a> and <a href="guidelines.html">IOCCC
guidelines</a>.</p>
<p>At the risk of stating the obvious, this contest is a parody of the software
@@ -602,23 +594,22 @@ are only part of the overall contest. Even so, one might think the
contest <a href="rules.html">IOCCC rules</a> and <a href="guidelines.html">IOCCC guidelines</a> process as a parody
of the sometimes tragic mismatch between what a customer (or marketing) wants
and what engineering delivers. Real programmers must face obfuscated and
sometimes conflicting, balloning specifications, and requirements from marketing, sales,
sometimes conflicting, ballooning specifications, and requirements from marketing, sales,
product management and even from customers themselves on an all too regular basis.
This is one of the reasons why the <a href="rules.html">IOCCC rules</a> and
<a href="guidelines.html">IOCCC guidelines</a> are written in obfuscated form.</p>
<p>Jump to: <a href="#">top</a></p>
<div id="guideline15">
<div id="guideline-15---building">
<div id="guideline15-gnu-makefile">
<h1 id="guidelines-for-rule-15---gnu-makefile">Guidelines for <a href="rules.html#rule15-gnu-makefile">Rule 15 - GNU Makefile</a></h1>
</div>
</div>
<p>You may use <code>git,</code> or services such as <a href="https://www.github.com">GitHub</a>
to develop and maintain your submission. However, we <strong>DISLIKE</strong>
submissions that <strong>require</strong> such services in order to build/compile your submission.</p>
</div>
<p>Submissions will be judged in an environment that has no <strong>IDE</strong>.
Any submission that fails to compile/build because it requires
an <strong>IDE</strong> will be rejected.</p>
<p>We will use the <code>GNU make(1)</code> tool, your <code>Makefile</code>, as well as tools found in the
<p>We will use the GNU <code>make(1)</code> tool, your <code>Makefile</code>, as well as tools found in the
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_UNIX_Specification">Single UNIX Specification</a>
environments, and commonly found on systems that reasonably conform to the
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_UNIX_Specification">Single UNIX Specification</a>
@@ -638,8 +629,8 @@ FAQ on “<a href="../faq.html#makefile_details">What are the detailed recommend
</div>
<p>We <strong>STRONGLY</strong> recommend you <strong>do</strong> install the most recent release of
<a href="https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry">mkiocccentry toolkit</a>
As use of using older versions of the mkiocccentry toolkit to are <strong>HIGHLY LIKELY</strong> to be <strong>REJECTED</strong>!</p>
<p>If you submit your own JSON files (other than <code>.auth.json</code> and
because use of older versions of the mkiocccentry toolkit are <strong>HIGHLY LIKELY</strong> to be <strong>REJECTED</strong>!</p>
<p>If you submit your own JSON files (<strong>OTHER THAN</strong> <code>.auth.json</code> and
<code>.info.json</code>) then they do <strong>NOT</strong> have to be valid JSON.</p>
<p>However, if you do provide invalid JSON files, <strong>PLEASE</strong>
document and <strong>clearly explain</strong> this in your <code>remarks.md</code> file.</p>
@@ -652,7 +643,7 @@ file</em>.
<p class="leftbar">
The non-extra files (<code>prog.c</code>, <code>prog.alt.c</code>,
<code>try.sh</code>, <code>try.alt.sh</code>, <code>remarks.md</code>, <code>Makefile</code>, <code>.auth.json</code> and <code>.info.json</code>)
are considered <em>free files</em>, and to not count towards the
are considered <em>free files</em>, and do not count towards the
<a href="rules.html#rule17-mkiocccentry">Rule 17 - Use mkiocccentry</a>
limit of <strong>31</strong> <em>extra files</em>.
</p>
@@ -663,12 +654,14 @@ reason, the tarball <strong>MUST</strong> be a <strong>v7 format</strong> tarbal
<p>You should NOT use a tarball as an <em>extra file</em> for a test-suite unless you
have a very good reason for this: if you do include a tarball as an <em>extra file</em>,
then you <strong>MUST</strong> specify why in your <code>remarks.md</code> file.</p>
<p>If you <strong>DO</strong> include a tarball an <em>extra file</em>, and the build process or the program extracts
said tarball(s), the make <code>clobber</code> rule <strong>MUST</strong> remove the extracted files.</p>
<p>Instead of including a large test-suite that requires a lot of files as part of your submission,
and your submission doesn’t require the test-suite to be available to run,
then in your <code>remarks.md</code> a URL where such a test-suite may be downloaded from
and how to use the test-suite to test your submission.</p>
<p>If you <strong>DO</strong> include a tarball as an <em>extra file</em>, and the build process or the
program extracts said tarball(s), the make <code>clobber</code> rule <strong>MUST</strong> remove the
extracted files.</p>
<p>Instead of including a large test-suite that requires a lot of files as part of
your submission, if your submission doesn’t require the test-suite to be
available to run, then in your <code>remarks.md</code> you could include URL where such a
test-suite may be downloaded from and how to use the test-suite to test your
submission, assuming it is not reveal who you are.</p>
<p>If you <strong>DO</strong> include a tarball then make sure it uses the v7 format. See the
FAQ on “<a href="../faq.html#extra-files">extra files</a>”
for details on how to make a v7 tarball.</p>
@@ -700,9 +693,9 @@ use the <strong>most recent version</strong> of the
submissions that package using older versions of the
<a href="https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry">mkiocccentry toolkit</a>
are <strong>LIKELY</strong> to be <strong>REJECTED</strong>!</p>
<p>You <strong>REALLY SHOULD</strong> use the latest <a href="https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry">mkiocccentry toolkit</a>
are <strong>LIKELY</strong> to be <strong>REJECTED</strong>! So you <strong>REALLY SHOULD</strong> use the latest <a href="https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry">mkiocccentry toolkit</a>
to package your own submission.</p>
<p>You <strong>REALLY SHOULD</strong> use the latest <a href="https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry">mkiocccentry
toolkit</a> to package your submission
as submissions that use an older version are <strong>LIKELY</strong> to be <strong>REJECTED</strong>!</p>
<p>The <code>mkiocccentry(1)</code> tool runs a number of checks by way of these
<a href="https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry">mkiocccentry toolkit</a> tools:</p>
<ul>
@@ -716,8 +709,8 @@ to package your own submission.</p>
“<strong>for TESTING purposes</strong>” in their respective man pages.</p>
<p>Do <strong>NOT</strong> use <code>fnamchk(1)</code> command line options that are labeled “<strong>for TESTING purposes</strong>”
in the <code>fnamchk(1)</code> man page.</p>
<p>Do <strong>NOT</strong> use <code>chkentry(1)</code> command line options that are labeled “<strong>for the use by the IOCCC judges only</strong>”
in the <code>chksubmit(1)</code> (or <code>chkentry(1)</code>) man page(s).
<p>Do <strong>NOT</strong> use <code>chksubmit(1)</code> command line options that are labeled “<strong>for the use by the IOCCC judges only</strong>”
in the <code>chksubmit(1)</code> man page.
Similarly do <strong>NOT</strong> use <code>chkentry(1)</code> command line options marked “<strong>for the use
by the IOCCC judges only</strong>” in the <code>chkentry(1)</code> man page.</p>
<p>To view <a href="https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry">mkiocccentry toolkit</a> man pages,
@@ -759,12 +752,15 @@ correct details as you go along.</p>
to proceed with a default, however make sure the default is the <strong>CORRECT</strong>
answer.</p>
<p>The <code>mkiocccentry(1)</code> tool will use code from <code>iocccsize(1)</code> which detects a number of
issues (such as <a href="rules.html#rule2-size">Rule 2 - Size</a>) that you may ignore,
however ignoring such issues <strong>comes with a significant level of risk!</strong></p>
issues (such as <a href="rules.html#rule2-size">Rule 2 - Size restrictions</a>) that you may ignore,
however ignoring such issues <strong>comes with a SIGNIFICANT level of risk!</strong></p>
<p>Once the tarball is packaged it will
run <code>txzchk(1)</code>, which will also run <code>fnamchk(1)</code>, as part of its algorithm.</p>
<p>The use of <code>mkiocccentry -W ....</code> is <strong>highly discouraged</strong> as this may ignore
warnings about a problem that may cause your submission to be <strong>REJECTED!</strong>”</p>
<p>The same can be said of the <code>-Y</code> option, and to a lesser extent <code>-y</code>: the <code>-y</code>
is mostly for the test script and the <code>-Y</code> is like <code>-y</code> but even more
aggressive.</p>
<p>If <code>mkiocccentry</code> encounters an <strong>error</strong>, the program will exit and the xz
compressed tarball <strong>will NOT be generated</strong>: this is a <strong>feature, not a bug</strong>!</p>
<p>If you encounter a <strong>bug</strong> with the
@@ -772,7 +768,7 @@ compressed tarball <strong>will NOT be generated</strong>: this is a <strong>fea
<strong>PLEASE run the <code>bug_report.sh</code> script to help us out here!</strong></p>
<p>While you don’t have to install the
<a href="https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry">mkiocccentry toolkit</a>,
then in order to run a tool outside the repo directory
if you don’t, in order to run a tool outside the repo directory
you will have to specify <code>mkiocccentry(1)</code> command line options to locate required tools
such as <code>chkentry(1)</code> (<code>mkiocccentry -C chkentry ..</code>), <code>txzchk(1)</code> (<code>mkiocccentry -T txzchk ..</code>),
and <code>fnamchk(1)</code> (<code>mkiocccentry -F fnamchk ..</code>).</p>
@@ -839,7 +835,7 @@ submissions that remain within the <a href="guidelines.html">IOCCC guidelines</a
<ul>
<li><p><a href="../quick-start.html#enter">How to enter the IOCCC</a></p></li>
<li><p><a href="../faq.html#mkiocccentry">Obtaining and compiling the most recent mkiocccentry toolkit</a></p></li>
<li><p><a href="../next/submit.html">How to upload your submission</a></p></li>
<li><p><a href="./submit.html">How to upload your submission</a></p></li>
</ul>
<p>While the contest is <strong><a href="../faq.html#open">open</a></strong>, you may modify your
previously uploaded submission by rebuilding your submission with the
@@ -848,8 +844,8 @@ and then re-uploading it to <strong>the same slot number</strong> on the
<a href="https://submit.ioccc.org">submit server</a>.</p>
<p>The <strong>official locale</strong> of the <strong>IOCCC</strong> is <strong>C</strong>.</p>
<p>You are <strong>encouraged</strong> to examine the <a href="../years.html">winners of previous contests</a>.</p>
<p>Because <a href="rules.html">rules</a> change from year to year, some <a href="../years.html">winning entries</a>
of the past may be rejected this year.</p>
<p>Because <a href="rules.html">rules</a> change from year to year, some <a href="../years.html">past winning entries</a>
may be rejected this year.</p>
<p>What was <em>was</em> unique and novel one year <em>might be ‘old’ the next year</em>.</p>
<p>A submission is usually examined in a number of ways. We typically apply
a number of tests to a submission:</p>
@@ -898,9 +894,8 @@ function or state machine to spell out something such as “<em>hello,
world!</em>” <strong>really really, <em>and we do mean REALLY</em>, do need to be more creative</strong>.</p>
<p>Consider using misleading or subtle tricks layered on top of or under
an appropriate level of obfuscation.</p>
<p>A clean looking program with
misleading comments and variable names might be a <strong>VERY GOOD START</strong>
to a great submission!</p>
<p>A clean looking program with misleading comments and variable names might be a
<strong>VERY GOOD START</strong> to a great submission!</p>
<p>Jump to: <a href="#">top</a></p>
<div id="likes">
@@ -917,6 +912,11 @@ the <a href="https://www.ioccc.org/index.html">Official IOCCC winner website</a>
<p>We <strong>VERY MUCH LIKE</strong> submissions that have some educational value. This does <strong>NOT</strong> mean
that your submission should not be obfuscated but rather that the IOCCC has moved away from
the idea of “spoilers”. You should not encrypt or rot13 content in your <code>remarks.md</code> file.</p>
<p>The above statement does not mean encryption/decryption tools will not win, nor
does it mean that if you have such a submission that you could not encrypt some
remarks (such as obfuscation details), but if you do so please put them in a
separate file and indicate how to undo it. Please do <strong>NOT</strong> use any cipher to
encrypt your <code>remarks.md</code>.</p>
<p>It is <strong>VERY MUCH</strong> appreciated if your remarks have some educational
value. And although educational value is not required, it is an
<strong>EXCELLENT</strong> bonus.</p>
@@ -956,8 +956,9 @@ as a program that is more well rounded in confusion.</p>
<p>In other words, it is a compilation error, and in order to get older
IOCCC winning entries that did this to compile, we had to update them to not do this.</p>
<p>When declaring local or global variables, you should declare the type:</p>
<pre><code> int this_is_fine;
this_is_not; /* &lt;-- Try to avoid implicit type declarations */</code></pre>
<pre><code> int this_is_fine;</code></pre>
<p>and <strong>NOT</strong> like this:</p>
<pre><code> this_is_not; /* &lt;-- Try to avoid implicit type declarations */</code></pre>
<p>We tend to <strong>like <em>less</em></strong> a submission that requires either
<code>gcc</code> <strong>OR</strong> <code>clang</code>. <strong>We <em>prefer</em> submissions</strong> that can compile
under <strong>BOTH</strong> <code>gcc</code> <strong>AND</strong> <code>clang</code>. <strong>Hint!</strong></p>
@@ -1067,7 +1068,7 @@ from the current directory. This restriction is not a hard and
absolute one. The intent is to ensure that the building of your
program is reasonably portable.</p>
<p>We prefer programs that are portable across a wide variety of UNIX-like
operating systems (e.g., Linux, GNU Hurd, BSD, UNIX, etc.).</p>
operating systems (e.g., Linux, GNU Hurd, BSD, UNIX, macOS, etc.).</p>
<p>Don’t forget that the building of your program should be done
<strong>WITHOUT human intervention</strong>. So don’t do things such as:</p>
<pre><code> prog: prog.c
@@ -1085,10 +1086,11 @@ For example, one could put in their <code>Makefile</code>:</p>
alternate / human intervention based building.</p>
<p>We want to get away from source that is simply a compact blob of
bytes. <strong>REALLY TRY</strong> to be more creative than blob coding. <strong>HINT!</strong></p>
<p>Please do not use things like <code>gzip(1)</code> to get around the size limit.
Please try to be much more creative.</p>
<p>We really <strong>DISLIKE</strong> submissions that make blatant use of including
large data files to get around the source code size limit.</p>
<p>Please do not use things like <code>gzip(1)</code> to get around the size limit. This was
done years ago; please try to be much more creative.</p>
<p>We really <strong>DISLIKE</strong> submissions that make blatant use of <code>#include</code> of
large data files to get around the source code size limit. This does not mean
<code>#include</code> of standard header files, just data files you provide.</p>
<p>Did we remember to indicate that programs that blatantly use
some complex state machine to do something simple, are boring?
We think we did. :-)</p>
@@ -1218,7 +1220,7 @@ processor word size without specifying <code>-arch</code>. For example:</p>
<pre><code> ARCH= -m64</code></pre>
<p>Note, however, that some platforms will not necessarily support some
architectures. For instance, more recent versions of <code>macOS</code> do <strong>NOT</strong> support
32-bit!</p>
32-bit, and more than zero judges use it!</p>
<p>If there are limitations in your submission, you are highly encouraged
to note such limitations in your <code>remarks.md</code> file. For example if your
submission factors values up to a certain size, you might want to state:</p>
@@ -1302,7 +1304,7 @@ of the number of the kernel disk pack of one of the judge’s <a href="https://e
<p>There may or may not be fewer than 2^7+1 reasons why these <a href="guidelines.html">IOCCC
guidelines</a> seem obfuscated.</p>
<p>Excessively “<em>dotty”</em> use of the <code>chksubmit(1)</code> or <code>chkentry(1)</code> commands suggests that
either you like silly things, or that you ”<em>RTFS</em>” with some level of care.</p>
either you like silly things, or that you”<em>RTFS</em>” with some level of care.</p>
<p>Some people might question what actually constitutes a valid JSON file, given
the state of the “<em>so-called</em>” JSON spec.. :-)</p>
<p>We prefer programs that do not require a fish license: crayons and
@@ -1381,11 +1383,16 @@ This isn’t to say that another highly compact and obfuscated
replacement of <code>init(8)</code> would not be an interesting submission.
</p>
<p class="leftbar">
The
<a href="https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry">mkiocccentry toolkit</a>
is not an original work, unless you one of the
<a href="https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry/graphs/contributors">several mkiocccentry toolkit contributors</a>.
in which case it is original! :-)
The IOCCC size tool
<a href="https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry/blob/master/iocccsize.c">iocccsize</a>
is not an original work, unless you are <a href="../authors.html#Anthony_C_Howe">Anthony C
Howe</a>, in which it is original! :-)
</p>
<p class="leftbar">
The IOCCC tarball validator
<a href="https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry/blob/master/txzchk.c">txzchk</a> is not
an original work, unless you are <a href="../authors.html#Cody_Boone_Ferguson">Cody Boone
Ferguson</a>, in which case it is original! :-)
</p>
<p>If the <a href="../judges.html">IOCCC judges</a> are feeling ornery we
might choose to compile your program for running on an Arduino or
next/guidelines.md
+81 -72
View File
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ writing by [contacting the judges](../contact.html).
# Guidelines Version
<p class="leftbar">
These IOCCC guidelines are version **29.01 2025-11-29**.
These IOCCC guidelines are version **29.02 2025-11-30**.
</p>
<p class="leftbar">
@@ -41,9 +41,9 @@ You should pay attention to our observations on
</p>
Your submission must satisfy **BOTH** the
[Rule 2a Gross Size](rules.html#rule2a-gross-size)
[Rule 2a - Gross Size](rules.html#rule2a-gross-size)
**AND**
[Rule 2b Net Size](rules.html#rule2b-net-size) rules.
[Rule 2b - Net Size](rules.html#rule2b-net-size) rules.
To check your code against
[Rule 2 - Size restrictions](rules.html#rule2-size), use the `iocccentry(1)` tool.
@@ -84,17 +84,6 @@ Yes Virginia, **the previous guideline sentence is an important hint**!
Jump to: [top](#)
<div id="guideline3">
<div id="guideline-3---register">
# Guidelines for [Rule 3 - Register for the IOCCC](rules.html#rule3-register)
</div>
</div>
See FAQ on "[What is an author handle?](../faq.html#author_handle_faq)".
Jump to: [top](#)
<div id="guideline7">
<div id="guideline-7---original-work">
@@ -120,7 +109,8 @@ describe how you used such tools** in your `remarks.md` file.
In short: You created it, you own it, its an original work, or you have explicit permission to the work.
See FAQ on "[May I use AI, LLM, Virtual coding assistants, or similar tools to write my submission?](../faq.html#ai)".
See the
FAQ on "[May I use AI, LLM, Virtual coding assistants, or similar tools to write my submission?](../faq.html#ai)".
Jump to: [top](#)
@@ -151,8 +141,8 @@ technically allowed by the [IOCCC rules](rules.html) and yet do not fit the spir
we intended to be submitted.
Legal abuse of the [IOCCC rules](rules.html) is **NOT** an invitation to violate
the [IOCCC rules](rules.html) (especailly [Rule 17 -
Packaging](./rules.html#rule-17---packaging) ). A submission that violates the
the [IOCCC rules](rules.html) (especially [Rule 17 -
Use mkiocccentry](./rules.html#rule17-mkiocccentry)). A submission that violates the
[rules](rules.html) in the opinion of the [IOCCC judges](../judges.html),
**WILL** be disqualified. **_RULE ABUSE CARRIES A CERTAIN LEVEL OF RISK!_**
@@ -160,20 +150,18 @@ If you intend to abuse the [IOCCC rules](rules.html),
indicate so in your `remarks.md` file. You **MUST** try to justify, plead, beg,
why you consider your rule abuse to be allowed under the
[IOCCC rules](rules.html). Humor or creativity help plead a case.
As there is no guarantee that you will succeed, you might consider
submitting an alternate version that conforms to the
[IOCCC rules](rules.html).
If you have a submission that might otherwise be interesting, you might want to
submit two versions; one that does not abuse the [IOCCC rules](rules.html) and
one that does, making sure to note in the one that does not abuse the rules that
this is another version, so that the judges do not assume you uploaded it by
mistake.
As there is no guarantee that you will succeed, you might consider submitting an
alternate version that conforms to the [IOCCC rules](rules.html), if it might
otherwise be interesting; one that does not abuse the [IOCCC rules](rules.html)
and one that does, making sure to note in the one that does not abuse the rules
that this is another version, so that the judges do not assume you uploaded it
by mistake.
If you do bypass the `mkiocccentry(1)` warnings about
[Rule 2a - Gross Size](rules.html#rule-2a-gross-size)
[Rule 2a - Gross Size](rules.html#rule2a-gross-size)
and/or about
[Rule 2b - Net Size](rules.html#rule-2b-net-size)
[Rule 2b - Net Size](rules.html#rule2b-net-size)
or any other
rule and submit a submission anyway, you **MUST** try to justify why the IOCCC
[IOCCC judges](../judges.html) should not reject your submission due to a rule
@@ -188,7 +176,7 @@ in many cases such problems, flaws or areas of confusion are deliberate.
Changes to [IOCCC rules](rules.html) and [IOCCC guidelines](guidelines.html) in
response to rule abuses, are done in a minimal fashion. Often we will
deliberately leave behind holes (or introduce new ones) so that future rule
abuse can continue. A clever author should be able to read them and "drive a
abuse can continue. A clever author should be able to read and "drive a
truck through the holes" in the [IOCCC rules](rules.html) and [IOCCC
guidelines](guidelines.html).
@@ -197,8 +185,8 @@ development process. The [IOCCC rules](rules.html) and [IOCCC guidelines](guide
are only part of the overall contest. Even so, one might think the
contest [IOCCC rules](rules.html) and [IOCCC guidelines](guidelines.html) process as a parody
of the sometimes tragic mismatch between what a customer (or marketing) wants
and what engineering delivers. Real programmers must face obfuscated and
sometimes conflicting, balloning specifications, and requirements from marketing, sales,
and what engineering delivers. Real programmers must face obfuscated and
sometimes conflicting, ballooning specifications, and requirements from marketing, sales,
product management and even from customers themselves on an all too regular basis.
This is one of the reasons why the [IOCCC rules](rules.html) and
[IOCCC guidelines](guidelines.html) are written in obfuscated form.
@@ -209,19 +197,17 @@ Jump to: [top](#)
<div id="guideline15">
<div id="guideline-15---building">
<div id="guideline15-gnu-makefile">
# Guidelines for [Rule 15 - GNU Makefile](rules.html#rule15-gnu-makefile)
</div>
</div>
You may use `git,` or services such as [GitHub](https://www.github.com)
to develop and maintain your submission. However, we **DISLIKE**
submissions that **require** such services in order to build/compile your submission.
</div>
Submissions will be judged in an environment that has no **IDE**.
Any submission that fails to compile/build because it requires
an **IDE** will be rejected.
We will use the `GNU make(1)` tool, your `Makefile`, as well as tools found in the
We will use the GNU `make(1)` tool, your `Makefile`, as well as tools found in the
[Single UNIX Specification](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_UNIX_Specification)
environments, and commonly found on systems that reasonably conform to the
[Single UNIX Specification](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_UNIX_Specification)
@@ -249,9 +235,9 @@ Jump to: [top](#)
We **STRONGLY** recommend you **do** install the most recent release of
[mkiocccentry toolkit](https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry)
As use of using older versions of the mkiocccentry toolkit to are **HIGHLY LIKELY** to be **REJECTED**!
because use of older versions of the mkiocccentry toolkit are **HIGHLY LIKELY** to be **REJECTED**!
If you submit your own JSON files (other than `.auth.json` and
If you submit your own JSON files (**OTHER THAN** `.auth.json` and
`.info.json`) then they do **NOT** have to be valid JSON.
However, if you do provide invalid JSON files, **PLEASE**
@@ -267,7 +253,7 @@ file_.
<p class="leftbar">
The non-extra files (`prog.c`, `prog.alt.c`,
`try.sh`, `try.alt.sh`, `remarks.md`, `Makefile`, `.auth.json` and `.info.json`)
are considered _free files_, and to not count towards the
are considered _free files_, and do not count towards the
[Rule 17 - Use mkiocccentry](rules.html#rule17-mkiocccentry)
limit of **31** _extra files_.
</p>
@@ -282,13 +268,15 @@ You should NOT use a tarball as an _extra file_ for a test-suite unless you
have a very good reason for this: if you do include a tarball as an _extra file_,
then you **MUST** specify why in your `remarks.md` file.
If you **DO** include a tarball an _extra file_, and the build process or the program extracts
said tarball(s), the make `clobber` rule **MUST** remove the extracted files.
If you **DO** include a tarball as an _extra file_, and the build process or the
program extracts said tarball(s), the make `clobber` rule **MUST** remove the
extracted files.
Instead of including a large test-suite that requires a lot of files as part of your submission,
and your submission doesn't require the test-suite to be available to run,
then in your `remarks.md` a URL where such a test-suite may be downloaded from
and how to use the test-suite to test your submission.
Instead of including a large test-suite that requires a lot of files as part of
your submission, if your submission doesn't require the test-suite to be
available to run, then in your `remarks.md` you could include URL where such a
test-suite may be downloaded from and how to use the test-suite to test your
submission, assuming it is not reveal who you are.
If you **DO** include a tarball then make sure it uses the v7 format. See the
FAQ on "[extra files](../faq.html#extra-files)"
@@ -331,9 +319,9 @@ submissions that package using older versions of the
[mkiocccentry toolkit](https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry)
are **LIKELY** to be **REJECTED**!
You **REALLY SHOULD** use the latest [mkiocccentry toolkit](https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry)
are **LIKELY** to be **REJECTED**! So you **REALLY SHOULD** use the latest [mkiocccentry toolkit](https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry)
to package your own submission.
You **REALLY SHOULD** use the latest [mkiocccentry
toolkit](https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry) to package your submission
as submissions that use an older version are **LIKELY** to be **REJECTED**!
The `mkiocccentry(1)` tool runs a number of checks by way of these
[mkiocccentry toolkit](https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry) tools:
@@ -350,8 +338,8 @@ Do **NOT** use `txzchk(1)` or `fnamchk(1)` command line options that are labeled
Do **NOT** use `fnamchk(1)` command line options that are labeled "**for TESTING purposes**"
in the `fnamchk(1)` man page.
Do **NOT** use `chkentry(1)` command line options that are labeled "**for the use by the IOCCC judges only**"
in the `chksubmit(1)` (or `chkentry(1)`) man page(s).
Do **NOT** use `chksubmit(1)` command line options that are labeled "**for the use by the IOCCC judges only**"
in the `chksubmit(1)` man page.
Similarly do **NOT** use `chkentry(1)` command line options marked "**for the use
by the IOCCC judges only**" in the `chkentry(1)` man page.
@@ -415,8 +403,8 @@ to proceed with a default, however make sure the default is the **CORRECT**
answer.
The `mkiocccentry(1)` tool will use code from `iocccsize(1)` which detects a number of
issues (such as [Rule 2 - Size](rules.html#rule2-size)) that you may ignore,
however ignoring such issues **comes with a significant level of risk!**
issues (such as [Rule 2 - Size restrictions](rules.html#rule2-size)) that you may ignore,
however ignoring such issues **comes with a SIGNIFICANT level of risk!**
Once the tarball is packaged it will
run `txzchk(1)`, which will also run `fnamchk(1)`, as part of its algorithm.
@@ -424,6 +412,10 @@ run `txzchk(1)`, which will also run `fnamchk(1)`, as part of its algorithm.
The use of `mkiocccentry -W ....` is **highly discouraged** as this may ignore
warnings about a problem that may cause your submission to be **REJECTED!**"
The same can be said of the `-Y` option, and to a lesser extent `-y`: the `-y`
is mostly for the test script and the `-Y` is like `-y` but even more
aggressive.
If `mkiocccentry` encounters an **error**, the program will exit and the xz
compressed tarball **will NOT be generated**: this is a **feature, not a bug**!
@@ -433,7 +425,7 @@ If you encounter a **bug** with the
While you don't have to install the
[mkiocccentry toolkit](https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry),
then in order to run a tool outside the repo directory
if you don't, in order to run a tool outside the repo directory
you will have to specify `mkiocccentry(1)` command line options to locate required tools
such as `chkentry(1)` (`mkiocccentry -C chkentry ..`), `txzchk(1)` (`mkiocccentry -T txzchk ..`),
and `fnamchk(1)` (`mkiocccentry -F fnamchk ..`).
@@ -527,7 +519,7 @@ You are encouraged to review the following [FAQs](../faq.html):
* [Obtaining and compiling the most recent mkiocccentry toolkit](../faq.html#mkiocccentry)
* [How to upload your submission](../next/submit.html)
* [How to upload your submission](./submit.html)
While the contest is **[open](../faq.html#open)**, you may modify your
previously uploaded submission by rebuilding your submission with the
@@ -539,8 +531,8 @@ The **official locale** of the **IOCCC** is **C**.
You are **encouraged** to examine the [winners of previous contests](../years.html).
Because [rules](rules.html) change from year to year, some [winning entries](../years.html)
of the past may be rejected this year.
Because [rules](rules.html) change from year to year, some [past winning entries](../years.html)
may be rejected this year.
What was _was_ unique and novel one year _might be 'old' the next year_.
@@ -602,9 +594,8 @@ world!_" **really really, _and we do mean REALLY_, do need to be more creative**
Consider using misleading or subtle tricks layered on top of or under
an appropriate level of obfuscation.
A clean looking program with
misleading comments and variable names might be a **VERY GOOD START**
to a great submission!
A clean looking program with misleading comments and variable names might be a
**VERY GOOD START** to a great submission!
Jump to: [top](#)
@@ -625,6 +616,12 @@ We **VERY MUCH LIKE** submissions that have some educational value. This does **
that your submission should not be obfuscated but rather that the IOCCC has moved away from
the idea of "spoilers". You should not encrypt or rot13 content in your `remarks.md` file.
The above statement does not mean encryption/decryption tools will not win, nor
does it mean that if you have such a submission that you could not encrypt some
remarks (such as obfuscation details), but if you do so please put them in a
separate file and indicate how to undo it. Please do **NOT** use any cipher to
encrypt your `remarks.md`.
It is **VERY MUCH** appreciated if your remarks have some educational
value. And although educational value is not required, it is an
**EXCELLENT** bonus.
@@ -680,6 +677,11 @@ When declaring local or global variables, you should declare the type:
``` <!---c-->
int this_is_fine;
```
and **NOT** like this:
``` <!---c-->
this_is_not; /* <-- Try to avoid implicit type declarations */
```
@@ -821,12 +823,12 @@ absolute one. The intent is to ensure that the building of your
program is reasonably portable.
We prefer programs that are portable across a wide variety of UNIX-like
operating systems (e.g., Linux, GNU Hurd, BSD, UNIX, etc.).
operating systems (e.g., Linux, GNU Hurd, BSD, UNIX, macOS, etc.).
Don't forget that the building of your program should be done
**WITHOUT human intervention**. So don't do things such as:
```
``` <!---makefile-->
prog: prog.c
#echo this next line requires data from standard input
cat > prog.c
@@ -838,7 +840,7 @@ do something dumb (or cute) when it is built 'automatically', and
when it is run with a human involved, do something more clever.
For example, one could put in their `Makefile`:
```
``` <!---makefile-->
prog: prog.c
${CC} prog.c -DNON_HUMAN_COMPILE -o prog
@echo "See remarks section about alternate ways to compile"
@@ -850,11 +852,12 @@ alternate / human intervention based building.
We want to get away from source that is simply a compact blob of
bytes. **REALLY TRY** to be more creative than blob coding. **HINT!**
Please do not use things like `gzip(1)` to get around the size limit.
Please try to be much more creative.
Please do not use things like `gzip(1)` to get around the size limit. This was
done years ago; please try to be much more creative.
We really **DISLIKE** submissions that make blatant use of including
large data files to get around the source code size limit.
We really **DISLIKE** submissions that make blatant use of `#include` of
large data files to get around the source code size limit. This does not mean
`#include` of standard header files, just data files you provide.
Did we remember to indicate that programs that blatantly use
some complex state machine to do something simple, are boring?
@@ -1027,7 +1030,7 @@ processor word size without specifying `-arch`. For example:
Note, however, that some platforms will not necessarily support some
architectures. For instance, more recent versions of `macOS` do **NOT** support
32-bit!
32-bit, and more than zero judges use it!
If there are limitations in your submission, you are highly encouraged
to note such limitations in your `remarks.md` file. For example if your
@@ -1126,7 +1129,7 @@ There may or may not be fewer than 2^7+1 reasons why these [IOCCC
guidelines](guidelines.html) seem obfuscated.
Excessively "_dotty"_ use of the `chksubmit(1)` or `chkentry(1)` commands suggests that
either you like silly things, or that you\ "_RTFS_" with some level of care.
either you like silly things, or that you "_RTFS_" with some level of care.
Some people might question what actually constitutes a valid JSON file, given
the state of the "_so-called_" JSON spec.. :-)
@@ -1223,11 +1226,17 @@ replacement of `init(8)` would not be an interesting submission.
</p>
<p class="leftbar">
The
[mkiocccentry toolkit](https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry)
is not an original work, unless you one of the
[several mkiocccentry toolkit contributors](https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry/graphs/contributors).
in which case it is original! :-)
The IOCCC size tool
[iocccsize](https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry/blob/master/iocccsize.c)
is not an original work, unless you are [Anthony C
Howe](../authors.html#Anthony_C_Howe), in which it is original! :-)
</p>
<p class="leftbar">
The IOCCC tarball validator
[txzchk](https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry/blob/master/txzchk.c) is not
an original work, unless you are [Cody Boone
Ferguson](../authors.html#Cody_Boone_Ferguson), in which case it is original! :-)
</p>
If the [IOCCC judges](../judges.html) are feeling ornery we