Contest Overview
The DevShield Coding Contest is a global programming competition designed to challenge developers of all skill levels in creative problem-solving, algorithmic thinking, and efficient coding practices.
Key Contest Details
Contest Objectives
- Foster creative problem-solving skills
- Promote clean, efficient coding practices
- Provide global benchmarking opportunities
- Connect developers with industry opportunities
- Recognize and reward coding excellence
Eligibility Criteria
To ensure fair competition and maintain the integrity of the contest, participants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Geographic Eligibility
Open to participants from all countries worldwide. No geographic restrictions apply.
Age & Background
Minimum age: 16 years. No maximum age limit. Open to students, professionals, and hobbyists.
Skill Requirements
Basic programming knowledge required. Contest is suitable for all skill levels with tiered difficulty problems.
Team Participation
Individual participation only. Team submissions are not allowed in this edition.
Important Restrictions
- Employees of DevShield Tech and their immediate family members cannot participate
- Previous first-place winners of DevShield contests cannot participate for two subsequent editions
- Participants must have a stable internet connection for the contest duration
Registration Process
Follow these steps to register for the contest:
Create Account
Visit the registration page and create your DevShield account using a valid email address.
Complete Profile
Fill in your personal details, programming experience, and preferred programming languages.
Complete payment
Complete payment for registration fees within 24 hours.
Complete test
you will receive an email 10 days before the contest with test details so that you can complete run a test for the contest and make sure you can run the contest on your device.
Start the contest
you will receive an email on how to start the contest, you will be able to start the contest only when the contest time is reached.
Registration Tips
- Use the same email for registration, contest platform access and payment
- Complete your profile with accurate information for certification purposes
- Test your system compatibility using our pre-contest check tool
Contest Format
The contest follows a structured format designed to test various programming skills:
Preparation Phase
System check, environment setup, and reading contest rules
MandatoryCore Competition Phase
Solve algorithmic challenges (5 problems of varying difficulty)
ScoredOptional Challenge
Bonus problem for extra points (advanced difficulty)
OptionalExtended Submission Window
Additional time for final submissions and verification
FlexibleScoring System
| Problem Type | Points | Time Bonus | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm-up Problem | 50 points | +10 points | Easy |
| Algorithm Problems (x3) | 100 points each | +20 points each | Medium |
| Optimization Challenge | 150 points | +30 points | Hard |
| Bonus Problem | 200 points | No time bonus | Expert |
Note: Time bonus decreases linearly with submission time. Full bonus for submissions within first hour of problem availability.
Problem Types
The contest includes diverse problem types to test various programming skills:
Algorithmic Problems
Classic algorithm implementation focusing on time and space complexity
Dynamic Programming
Optimization problems requiring efficient recursive solutions
Secure Coding
Identify and fix security vulnerabilities in provided code
Real-world Simulation
Solve practical problems mimicking real industry scenarios
Language Support
All major programming languages are supported, including:
Specific language versions may have restrictions. Check the technical specifications document for details.
Submission Guidelines
Follow these guidelines for successful code submissions:
File Format & Structure
Submit single file solutions. For multiple files, use zip compression. Include proper file extensions (.py, .java, .cpp, etc.).
Input/Output Format
Read from standard input (stdin) and write to standard output (stdout). Follow exact formatting specified in problem statements.
Submission Limits
Maximum 50 submissions per problem. Cooldown period of 30 seconds after 10 rapid submissions.
Restricted Functions
No system calls, network operations, or file writing (except specified). No external library imports unless explicitly allowed.
def solve():
import sys
# Read input from stdin
data = sys.stdin.read().strip().split()
# Process input
n = int(data[0])
numbers = list(map(int, data[1:1+n]))
# Your solution logic here
result = sum(numbers)
# Write output to stdout
print(result)
if __name__ == "__main__":
solve()Judging Criteria
Submissions are evaluated based on the following criteria:
Correctness (40%)
- Passes all test cases (public and hidden)
- Handles edge cases appropriately
- Produces exact expected output format
Efficiency (30%)
- Time complexity analysis
- Memory usage optimization
- Execution time within constraints
Code Quality (20%)
- Readability and documentation
- Proper naming conventions
- Modular and maintainable structure
Time Bonus (10%)
- Early submission bonus points
- Decreases linearly with time
- Maximum bonus for first-hour submissions
Code of Conduct
All participants must adhere to our Code of Conduct to ensure fair and respectful competition:
Academic Integrity
All submitted code must be your original work. No plagiarism, code sharing, or using pre-written solutions.
Communication Policy
No discussion of problems or solutions during the contest. Use official channels for clarifications only.
Account Security
Do not share your account credentials. Each participant must use their own account.
Respectful Behavior
Maintain professional and respectful communication in all contest-related interactions.
Prohibited Actions
- Using multiple accounts
- Collaborating with other participants
- Sharing solutions on public forums during contest
- Attempting to disrupt contest platform
- Using automated tools for code generation
Disqualification Rules
Participants may be disqualified for violating contest rules. Common reasons include:
Severe Violations
- Plagiarism or copying code
- Using multiple accounts
- Sharing solutions during contest
- Platform manipulation attempts
Moderate Violations
- Exceeding submission limits
- Using restricted libraries
- Minor collaboration attempts
- Inappropriate conduct
Minor Violations
- Technical guideline breaches
- Late submissions
- Formatting issues
- Minor code quality issues
Appeals Process
If you believe you were wrongfully disqualified, you may submit an appeal within 7 days of contest results announcement. Appeals must include:
- Detailed explanation of the situation
- Supporting evidence or documentation
- Your contest ID and submission details
Appeals will be reviewed by an independent committee within 14 days.
Prize Distribution
Prizes will be distributed according to the following schedule and conditions:
Results Announcement
Preliminary results published on contest website
Verification Period
Code review and anti-cheating verification
Final Results
Final rankings published after verification
Prize Distribution
Cash prizes transferred and physical prizes shipped
Prize Claim Conditions
- Winners must provide valid identification and tax information
- Cash prizes transferred via wire transfer or PayPal only
- Physical prizes shipped to provided address (shipping fees covered)
- Certifications delivered digitally via Credly platform
- All prizes must be claimed within 60 days of announcement
Tax Information
Prize winners are responsible for any applicable taxes in their country of residence. DevShield will issue necessary tax documentation for prizes exceeding $600 USD.
Technical Support
We provide comprehensive technical support before, during, and after the contest:
Emergency Contact
For urgent issues during contest hours: