Update FAQ and guidelines about new options

The new options to mkiocccentry are -x to delete the submission
directory if if it already exists and the -u uuidfile and -U uuidstr
options.

NOTE: it is NOT required to update the tools for this IOCCC and you do
NOT have to read the updated guidelines to follow the guidelines for
this IOCCC.

faq.html

@@ -425,7 +425,7 @@
 
 <!-- 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>28.2.14 2025-03-09</strong>.</p>
+<p>This is FAQ version <strong>28.2.15 2025-03-10</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>
@@ -454,7 +454,8 @@
 <li><strong>Q 1.6</strong>: <a class="normal" href="#extra-files">What are extra files and how may I include additional files beyond the max allowed?</a></li>
 <li><strong>Q 1.7</strong>: <a class="normal" href="#ai">May I use AI, Virtual coding assistants, or similar tools to write my submission?</a></li>
 <li><strong>Q 1.8</strong>: <a class="normal" href="#rule17">What are the details behind Rule 17?</a></li>
-<li><strong>Q 1.9</strong>: <a class="normal" href="#uuid_file">How can I avoid re-entering my UUID to mkiocccentry?</a></li>
+<li><strong>Q 1.9</strong>: <a class="normal" href="#uuid">How can I avoid re-entering my UUID to mkiocccentry?</a></li>
+<li><strong>Q 1.10</strong>: <a class="normal" href="#submission_dir">How can I avoid having to move or delete my submission directory for the same workdir?</a></li>
 </ul>
 <h2 id="ioccc-judging-process">2. <a href="#judging_proceess">IOCCC Judging process</a></h2>
 <ul>
@@ -1057,11 +1058,15 @@ the questions, you can use the <code>-d</code> option (which is an alias for <co
 where <code>21701</code> is the seed) to have the tool make up pseudo-randomly selected
 answers.</p>
 <p>Please note that the tool will <strong>NOT</strong> delete the directory it makes so if you
-do have to try again you’ll have to remove it.</p>
+do have to try again you’ll have to remove it (you can have it delete it if you
+use the <code>-x</code> option though).</p>
 <p>An example use of this option is:</p>
 <pre><code>    mkiocccentry -d workdir topdir</code></pre>
 <p>This will run the tests that <code>mkiocccentry(1)</code>, write the JSON files, use
 <code>chkentry(1)</code>, package the tarball and run <code>txzchk(1)</code> on it.</p>
+<p>If you don’t want to deal with the having to move or delete the submission
+directory, you could instead do:</p>
+<pre><code>    mkiocccentry -x -d workdir topdir</code></pre>
 <p>See also the
 FAQ on “<a href="#mkiocccentry">mkiocccentry</a>”,
 the
@@ -1496,23 +1501,41 @@ do this <strong>AFTER</strong> the <a href="status.html">contest status</a> has
 <a href="#open">open</a>.
 </p>
 <p>Jump to: <a href="#">top</a></p>
+<div id="uuid">
 <div id="uuid_file">
 <h3 id="q-1.9-how-can-i-avoid-re-entering-my-uuid-to-mkiocccentry">Q 1.9: How can I avoid re-entering my UUID to mkiocccentry?</h3>
 </div>
+</div>
 <p>Because some people might want to submit more than one submission, an option to
 read the UUID from a file exists, so that you don’t have to repeatedly copy and
 paste the UUID in. If the file is not a regular readable file or it does not
 have a valid UUID, you will be prompted as if you had not used the option. If
 you use the <code>-i answers</code> feature this will not be used as the UUID is included
 in the answers file.</p>
-<p>To use this feature all you have to do is put the UUID in a text file, in a
+<p>There are two ways to do this - it is purely a matter of preference. The first
-single line, with no spaces before or after it, and then run:</p>
+way is to put your UUID in a text file (the UUID by itself on a single line)
+with no spaces before or after it, and then run:</p>
 <pre><code>    mkiocccentry -u uuid workdir topdir</code></pre>
 <p>where <code>uuid</code> is the file containing your UUID, <code>workdir</code> is the workdir and
 <code>topdir</code> is the topdir.</p>
+<p>The second way is to specify the UUID on the command line itself. For instance
+if your UUID was <code>test</code> (for test mode) you could do:</p>
+<pre><code>    mkiocccentry -U test workdir topdir</code></pre>
 <p>See also the
 FAQ on “<a href="#answers_file">the answers file</a>”.</p>
 <p>Jump to: <a href="#">top</a></p>
+<div id="submission_dir">
+<h3 id="q-1.10-how-can-i-avoid-having-to-move-or-delete-my-submission-directory-for-the-same-workdir">Q 1.10: How can I avoid having to move or delete my submission directory for the same workdir?</h3>
+</div>
+<p>If you wish to not have to worry about removing or moving the submission
+directory under the workdir, you may use the <code>-x</code> option to <code>mkiocccentry</code>. For
+instance, you can do:</p>
+<pre><code>    mkiocccentry -x workdir topdir</code></pre>
+<p>and if the submission directory under workdir already exists it will be removed
+first so you do not have to do so.</p>
+<p>If for some reason your <code>rm</code> command cannot be found or does not exist you can
+specify the path by the <code>-r rm</code> option.</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">
@@ -1899,8 +1922,12 @@ the importance of this).
 <ul>
 <li>If this is an invalid UUID (malformed), you will be asked to correct it
 until it is.</li>
-<li>If the <code>-u uuid</code> option is used and the UUID in the file <code>uuid</code> is not malformed,
+<li>If the <code>-u uuidfile</code> option is used and the UUID in the file <code>uuidfile</code> is not malformed,
 the user will not be prompted for a UUID.</li>
+<li>If the <code>-U uuidstr</code> option is used and the UUID is not malformed, the user
+will not be prompted for a UUID.</li>
+<li>The <code>-u</code> and <code>-U</code> options may not be used with any option that reads from
+an answers file (<code>-i answers</code>, <code>-d</code>, <code>-s seed</code>).</li>
 </ul></li>
 <li>Ask the user for the submission slot (the submission number; see <a href="next/register.html">how to
 register</a> and <a href="next/rules.html#rule17">Rule 17</a> for more details).
@@ -1912,7 +1939,10 @@ you will be asked to correct it until it is.</li>
 <li>Make the submission directory under <code>topdir</code> in the form of
 <code>workdir/submit.USERNAME-SLOT</code>.
 <ul>
-<li>If this directory already exists it is an error.</li>
+<li>If this directory already exists it is an error, unless the <code>-x</code> option is
+used, in which case it’ll be deleted.</li>
+<li>If for some reason the default <code>rm</code> paths do not work, you may use <code>-r rm</code>
+to specify the path to a working <code>rm</code> command.</li>
 </ul></li>
 <li>Change to the <code>topdir</code>.</li>
 <li>Traverse the directory, creating lists of ignored/forbidden

faq.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # IOCCC FAQ Table of Contents
 
-This is FAQ version **28.2.14 2025-03-09**.
+This is FAQ version **28.2.15 2025-03-10**.
 
 
 ## 0. [Entering the IOCCC: the bare minimum you need to know](#enter_questions)
@@ -28,7 +28,8 @@ This is FAQ version **28.2.14 2025-03-09**.
 - **Q 1.6**: <a class="normal" href="#extra-files">What are extra files and how may I include additional files beyond the max allowed?</a>
 - **Q 1.7**: <a class="normal" href="#ai">May I use AI, Virtual coding assistants, or similar tools to write my submission?</a>
 - **Q 1.8**: <a class="normal" href="#rule17">What are the details behind Rule 17?</a>
-- **Q 1.9**: <a class="normal" href="#uuid_file">How can I avoid re-entering my UUID to mkiocccentry?</a>
+- **Q 1.9**: <a class="normal" href="#uuid">How can I avoid re-entering my UUID to mkiocccentry?</a>
+- **Q 1.10**: <a class="normal" href="#submission_dir">How can I avoid having to move or delete my submission directory for the same workdir?</a>
 
 
 ## 2. [IOCCC Judging process](#judging_proceess)
@@ -785,7 +786,8 @@ where `21701` is the seed) to have the tool make up pseudo-randomly selected
 answers.
 
 Please note that the tool will **NOT** delete the directory it makes so if you
-do have to try again you'll have to remove it.
+do have to try again you'll have to remove it (you can have it delete it if you
+use the `-x` option though).
 
 An example use of this option is:
 
@@ -796,6 +798,13 @@ An example use of this option is:
 This will run the tests that `mkiocccentry(1)`, write the JSON files, use
 `chkentry(1)`, package the tarball and run `txzchk(1)` on it.
 
+If you don't want to deal with the having to move or delete the submission
+directory, you could instead do:
+
+``` <!---sh-->
+    mkiocccentry -x -d workdir topdir
+```
+
 See also the
 FAQ on "[mkiocccentry](#mkiocccentry)",
 the
@@ -1267,9 +1276,12 @@ do this **AFTER** the [contest status](status.html) has changed to
 
 Jump to: [top](#)
 
+
+<div id="uuid">
 <div id="uuid_file">
 ### Q 1.9: How can I avoid re-entering my UUID to mkiocccentry?
 </div>
+</div>
 
 Because some people might want to submit more than one submission, an option to
 read the UUID from a file exists, so that you don't have to repeatedly copy and
@@ -1278,8 +1290,9 @@ have a valid UUID, you will be prompted as if you had not used the option. If
 you use the `-i answers` feature this will not be used as the UUID is included
 in the answers file.
 
-To use this feature all you have to do is put the UUID in a text file, in a
+There are two ways to do this - it is purely a matter of preference. The first
-single line, with no spaces before or after it, and then run:
+way is to put your UUID in a text file (the UUID by itself on a single line)
+with no spaces before or after it, and then run:
 
 ``` <!---sh-->
     mkiocccentry -u uuid workdir topdir
@@ -1288,11 +1301,38 @@ single line, with no spaces before or after it, and then run:
 where `uuid` is the file containing your UUID, `workdir` is the workdir and
 `topdir` is the topdir.
 
+The second way is to specify the UUID on the command line itself. For instance
+if your UUID was `test` (for test mode) you could do:
+
+``` <!---sh-->
+    mkiocccentry -U test workdir topdir
+```
+
+
 See also the
 FAQ on "[the answers file](#answers_file)".
 
 Jump to: [top](#)
 
+<div id="submission_dir">
+### Q 1.10: How can I avoid having to move or delete my submission directory for the same workdir?
+</div>
+
+If you wish to not have to worry about removing or moving the submission
+directory under the workdir, you may use the `-x` option to `mkiocccentry`. For
+instance, you can do:
+
+``` <!---sh-->
+    mkiocccentry -x workdir topdir
+```
+
+and if the submission directory under workdir already exists it will be removed
+first so you do not have to do so.
+
+If for some reason your `rm` command cannot be found or does not exist you can
+specify the path by the `-r rm` option.
+
+Jump to: [top](#)
 
 <hr style="width:50%;text-align:left;margin-left:0">
 <hr style="width:50%;text-align:left;margin-left:0">
@@ -1788,8 +1828,12 @@ for more details on how to obtain this and [Rule 17](next/rules.html#rule17) for
 the importance of this).
     * If this is an invalid UUID (malformed), you will be asked to correct it
     until it is.
-    * If the `-u uuid` option is used and the UUID in the file `uuid` is not malformed,
+    * If the `-u uuidfile` option is used and the UUID in the file `uuidfile` is not malformed,
     the user will not be prompted for a UUID.
+    * If the `-U uuidstr` option is used and the UUID is not malformed, the user
+    will not be prompted for a UUID.
+    * The `-u` and `-U` options may not be used with any option that reads from
+    an answers file (`-i answers`, `-d`, `-s seed`).
 1. Ask the user for the submission slot (the submission number; see [how to
 register](next/register.html) and [Rule 17](next/rules.html#rule17) for more details).
     * If this is out of range (see `MAX_SUBMIT_SLOT` in
@@ -1797,7 +1841,10 @@ register](next/register.html) and [Rule 17](next/rules.html#rule17) for more det
     you will be asked to correct it until it is.
 2. Make the submission directory under `topdir` in the form of
 `workdir/submit.USERNAME-SLOT`.
-    * If this directory already exists it is an error.
+    * If this directory already exists it is an error, unless the `-x` option is
+    used, in which case it'll be deleted.
+    * If for some reason the default `rm` paths do not work, you may use `-r rm`
+    to specify the path to a working `rm` command.
 3. Change to the `topdir`.
 4. Traverse the directory, creating lists of ignored/forbidden
 files/directories/symlinks as well as a list directories to make and a list of

next/guidelines.html

@@ -464,7 +464,7 @@ writing by <a href="../contact.html">contacting the judges</a>.</p>
 </div>
 </div>
 <p class="leftbar">
-These <a href="guidelines.html">IOCCC guidelines</a> are version <strong>28.44 2025-03-04</strong>.
+These <a href="guidelines.html">IOCCC guidelines</a> are version <strong>28.45 2025-03-10</strong>.
 </p>
 <p class="leftbar">
 The markdown form of these guidelines <a href="guidelines.md"
@@ -532,6 +532,11 @@ The reason for the times of day are so that key IOCCC events are <strong>calcula
 to be a <strong>fun</strong>ctional UTC time. :-)
 </p>
 <p class="leftbar">
+<strong>NOTE</strong>: the updates to these guidelines on 2025-03-10 explained the new <code>-u uuidfile</code> and <code>-U uuidstr</code> options and are <strong>NOT</strong> important to read, in order
+to follow the guidelines. The options are in a release <strong>AFTER THIS</strong> IOCCC’s
+official release and not updating the toolkit is <strong>PERFECTLY</strong> okay.
+</p>
+<p class="leftbar">
 Until the contest status becomes <strong><a href="../faq.html#open">open</a></strong>,
 the <a href="rules.html">IOCCC rules</a>,
 <a href="guidelines.html">IOCCC guidelines</a> and the tools in the
@@ -595,7 +600,7 @@ previously uploaded submission by rebuilding your submission with the
 <a href="https://submit.ioccc.org">submit server</a>.
 </p>
 <p class="leftbar">
-<strong>HINT:</strong> So that you do not have to repeatedly answer all the
+<strong>HINT:</strong> so that you do not have to repeatedly answer all the
 questions, the <code>mkiocccentry(1)</code> tool has the options <code>-a answers</code>, <code>-A answers</code>
 and <code>-i answers</code>, where <code>-a</code> will write to an answers file (if it does not
 already exist), <code>-A</code> <strong>WILL OVERWRITE THE FILE</strong> and <code>-i</code> will read the answers from
@@ -609,6 +614,14 @@ circumvent this you can use the <code>-Y</code> option but we do not recommend t
 if your update breaks a rule or there is some problem, you might not see it.
 </p>
 <p class="leftbar">
+To help with not having to repeatedly enter a UUID, whether for the same
+submission or multiple submissions, you can use the <code>-u uuidfile</code> or <code>-U UUID</code>
+option. See the
+FAQ on “<a href="../faq.html#uuid">how to avoid re-entering your UUID</a>”
+for more details. Note that the <code>-i answers</code> option cannot be used with the UUID
+options as the answers file includes the UUID.
+</p>
+<p class="leftbar">
 The overall size limit (see <a href="rules.html#rule2a">Rule 2a</a>) on <code>prog.c</code> has been
 <strong>increased from 4096 to 4993</strong> bytes.
 The <a href="rules.html#rule2a">Rule 2a</a> size was changed from

next/guidelines.md

@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ Jump to: [top](#)
 </div>
 
 <p class="leftbar">
-These [IOCCC guidelines](guidelines.html) are version **28.44 2025-03-04**.
+These [IOCCC guidelines](guidelines.html) are version **28.45 2025-03-10**.
 </p>
 
 <p class="leftbar">
@@ -142,6 +142,13 @@ The reason for the times of day are so that key IOCCC events are **calculated**
 to be a **fun**ctional UTC time.  :-)
 </p>
 
+<p class="leftbar">
+**NOTE**: the updates to these guidelines on 2025-03-10 explained the new `-u
+uuidfile` and `-U uuidstr` options and are **NOT** important to read, in order
+to follow the guidelines. The options are in a release **AFTER THIS** IOCCC's
+official release and not updating the toolkit is **PERFECTLY** okay.
+</p>
+
 <p class="leftbar">
 Until the contest status becomes **[open](../faq.html#open)**,
 the [IOCCC rules](rules.html),
@@ -214,7 +221,7 @@ previously uploaded submission by rebuilding your submission with the
 </p>
 
 <p class="leftbar">
-**HINT:** So that you do not have to repeatedly answer all the
+**HINT:** so that you do not have to repeatedly answer all the
 questions, the `mkiocccentry(1)` tool has the options `-a answers`, `-A answers`
 and `-i answers`, where `-a` will write to an answers file (if it does not
 already exist), `-A` **WILL OVERWRITE THE FILE** and `-i` will read the answers from
@@ -229,6 +236,15 @@ circumvent this you can use the `-Y` option but we do not recommend this because
 if your update breaks a rule or there is some problem, you might not see it.
 </p>
 
+<p class="leftbar">
+To help with not having to repeatedly enter a UUID, whether for the same
+submission or multiple submissions, you can use the `-u uuidfile` or `-U UUID`
+option. See the
+FAQ on "[how to avoid re-entering your UUID](../faq.html#uuid)"
+for more details. Note that the `-i answers` option cannot be used with the UUID
+options as the answers file includes the UUID.
+</p>
+
 <p class="leftbar">
 The overall size limit (see [Rule 2a](rules.html#rule2a)) on `prog.c` has been
 **increased from 4096 to 4993** bytes.