It's March, and so time for the
Annual MiniScript Try-It Contest
This is a fun little contest that challenges you to create some cool program that fits within the constraints of the Try-It! page:
- programs can be no more than 2000 characters long
- the only intrinsic functions are those listed in the Quick Reference, plus
input and print
The only other limitation is your imagination! Create any game, demo, utility, or tool you can dream up (though no NSFW content), and join the contest for some friendly competition. Here's how to play:
- Create, test, and polish your program at https://miniscript.org/tryit/
- Click the "Share" button that appears after a successful run.
- Give your program a title, and click the Save button to get a unique URL for your program.
- Post that URL here, along with any comments you want to include (user instructions, what you were trying to demonstrate, whatever).
- Entries must be received (posted here) by March 26, 2022.
Judging & Prizes
Entries will first be tested & commented on in Joe's Weekly Live Stream on March 27. Entries will then be ranked privately (also by me) after the stream. Winners will be announced here and on Discord. Prizes:
- First place: VFT(*) certificate and a printed copy of Introduction to Computer Programming, plus MiniScript bookmark and Mini Micro stickers
- Second place: VFT certificate, MiniScript bookmark, and Mini Micro stickers
- Third place: VFT certificate
(*) VFT: Very Fungible Token, a special type of image file that can be easily funged. Whether or not you funge it is entirely up to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you make anything cool without graphics or sound? Get creative! There are a lot of interesting and fun programs that can be made with only simple text input and output.
But... only 2000 characters? It could be worse. In May we have a Tweetcode competition that limits your programs to the length of a tweet (280 characters). Creating beauty within constraints is what makes it art!
Will the Try-It! page be in "wide" or "tall" mode?" Ah, you have noticed that the Try-It! page is responsive! For the demos and judging, it will be in "wide mode", i.e., stretched wide enough that the output view appears to the right of the source code editor.
What can I do with my VFT certificate? Whatever you want! Display it on your website, print it out and pin it to your wall, frame it, wrap fish with it, etc.
What do I need your Introduction to Computer Programming book for if I just won a programming contest? You probably don't, but you may find it fun anyway (it contains lots of cool pictures and some fun little programs).
I already have Introduction to Computer Programming. Thank you! Your support means the world to me. If you win a second copy, perhaps you have some relative or friend (with kids?) who would enjoy it, or some local school that could use it for the school library.
Good luck, and have fun!
