Ras_Vz's blog

When can I choose whether to join the hack room during the competition?
By Ras_Vz, 5 weeks ago, In English

I would like to know when I can freely choose whether to join the hack room.
Twelve hours ago, system sent me a message saying that my 2030D code overlaps with that of more than ten other people.
But I have never leaked my code on any platform, nor have I colluded with others in competitions. I also cannot accept a rating that doesn't match my ability, as it would lead to incorrect assessments of my personal skills and my team's strength in offline competitions. After receiving the message, I went online to seek advice on what to do, and someone told me about the hack room.

If someone solves the problem, locks it, and enters the hack room to view and leak others' code...

This is practically impossible to guard against, and I have no idea how to prove my innocence.
So, I don't want to prove my innocence anymore. I just hope that during the competition, no one can see my code.
So when will I be able to freely choose whether to join the hack room?

Hmm, a comment informed me that I could check the room information. So... https://codeforces.me/contest/2030/room/186

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5 weeks ago, # |
← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +25 Vote: I do not like it

Just remove in-contest hacks

Gaining extra points because you hacked other people code doesn't make sense, let alone all the downsides it caused.

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    5 weeks ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it

    Yes, I think so. Hacking others will not enhance programming skills. We should focus on solving more problems during the competition, rather than hacking others to level up.

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      5 weeks ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +1 Vote: I do not like it

      Maybe if the hacks were all Div 3 / Div 4 style, it might be better as well.

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        5 weeks ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

        Yes, I just want to ensure that others can't see my code during the competition. Otherwise, how can it be proven that I leaked my own code?

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          5 weeks ago, # ^ |
            Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it

          There're at least 2 necessary (but not sufficient) conditions that prove you didn't cheat (i.e. neither leaked nor copied the code):

          1. your submission times are earlier than those from other users who have the same code;

          2. there're locked submissions on this problem in your room — you can easily check it here https://codeforces.me/contest/2030/room/0

          If this is not the case, then you don't actually have any proof.

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            5 weeks ago, # ^ |
            ← Rev. 3   Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

            Thank you very much for your help. My submission was indeed the earliest. Only three participants solved problem D in my room, and one of them, named alu097, locked his code for it.

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      5 weeks ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it -18 Vote: I do not like it

      Don't lock, then no one will see your codes. BTW, hacking can improve your skills to find bugs, but it is less important I think.

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        5 weeks ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it +11 Vote: I do not like it

        No. Locking only allows you to see others' codes, and any code could be viewed by others, regardless of the owner locking it or not.

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