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Software developers entering the International Obfuscated C Code Contest must write programs that look baffling, but perform unusual, unexpected or catastrophic tasks
By Matthew Sparkes
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A 2011 entry to the International Obfuscated C Code Contest, designed to look like a manga character
PGM/PPM images and ASCII art by Don, Yang
Computer programmers are being challenged to write the world’s sneakiest and most confusing code in a competition that opens next week. To win, entrants must find ways to write programs in the C language that baffle judges on first reading, then perform unusual, unexpected or catastrophic tasks when run.
The International Obfuscated C Code Contest (IOCCC) began in 1984 and its co-founder, Landon Noll, says it is the longest-running online competition of any kind.…
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