TopCoder uses an application called TopCoder Arena where each coder can practice, compete, or spectate. TopCoder Arena is a pure Java application that can be run as either an Applet from within a browser, or as an application from within JWS (Java Web Start). TopCoder Arena is where all of the competition action at TopCoder takes place.

The TopCoder Arena Java Application, when used on a local PC, requires outbound access to www.topcoder.com through port 5001. Alternatively, though it is significantly slower, users can use HTTP Tunneling, but then they need access to arena.topcoder.com on port 80.

Details about TopCoder Arena and how to install it will be found on it's TopCoder Arena Getting Started page.

It may be that access on a local PC has been blocked to both port 5001 and port 80 for security or other reasons. If you find that you cannot use TopCoder Arena on a local computer at work or school, consider using your home computer through remote access via the LogMeIn web site. [See Below.]

LogMeIn is a remote access solution that allows you to use a web browser on a local PC as a terminal window to access a remote PC.

By using a web browser on a local PC, a user may remotely access their home PC from that local PC and thereby remotely use the TopCoder Arena Java Application by running it on their home PC.

When registering with LogMeIn, be sure to record the following information as you will later need it. Write the information down and keep it in a secret location. Do not show it to anyone else.

1. Email Address used to register with LogMeIn

   Hint: Create and use an email address soley intended for this sort of use. That way, if the email address gets sold to spammers, the spamming will not interfere with your personal email.

2. Password associated with that email address during this registration

3. Name of Home Computer

4. Home Computer's Access Code

5. Home Computer's IP Address

How To
Create,
Test
&
Submit
Solutions
To
TopCoder

1. The "Definition" of a "Problem Statement" gives the following.

   • Name of Solution Class ( eg: TriArea)
   • Name of Solution Method ( eg: area)
   • Data Types of the Solution Method's Parameters ( eg: int[], int[], int[] )
   • Data Type of the Solution Method's Return Parameter ( eg: double)
   • Method's Signature with names of the parameters
            ( eg: double area( int[] xCenter, int[] yCenter, int[] height )
   • Reminder that the Solution Method must be tagged as "public" in scope
   
   
   Click here to see an Example of a TopCoder Problem Statement called TriArea

2. Your submitted solution must be the specified class containing the specified method signature, including using the specified names of the specified class and method.

3. You submit the specified class containing the spedified method.

   Click here to see an Example of the Solution Class Called TriArea.java

4. In order to test your solution class, compile and test in the Arena or

   • Create a testing class
   • which creates an object of the Solution Class,
   • which calls the Solution Method in the Solution Class,
   • and passes sets of testing data to the Solution Method
   • as arguments to the Solution Method's signature.
   
   

5. The Testing Class may read input from the keyboard (too slow), a data file or the testing data may be assigned to the arguments of call to the Solution Method. Since the Testing Class is not submitted, you may read and assign values in any manner that you choose.

   Click here to see an Example of the Testing Class Called TriAreaTester.java

6. Do NOT submit the testing class.

Using TopCoder practice rooms is the best way to become familiar with the most important part of the TopCoder Arena.

By visiting a practice room you will learn the Arena interface, the nature of the problems, and the expected structure of your solution. You will also get to inspect thousands of submissions in various languages from other competitors who have visited the practice rooms. Even though the submissions in the practice rooms are not necessarily correct, you do know that they have been successfully compiled.

At the very least, looking at some submissions from others who use your intended language will show you:

1. exactly how to structure your class,

2. the various input and output types that are specific to your language, and

3. how to import libraries in your language.

When in the arena, follow the following steps to view the actual original code of the original competitors.

Launch and log into the Arena. → Click "Practice Rooms" drop-down menu. → Scroll to "SRMs" → Scroll to "481-496" (for example) → Click "491 - SRM 389 Div 2" → Click "Select One" → Click "250" (You just chose to practice the 250 level problem.) → Return to chat area → Click "Tools" → Click "Room Summary" → Click "mishatassen" (for example) to see that coder's information → Click "240.14" (mishatassen's score for the 250 point problem) → Note the problem statement in the upper portion of the screen and mishatassen's solution in the lower portion of the screen.

TopCoder Training Camp Tutorials