A couple questions from a newcomer

[Cruzer]

Hi I'm fairly new to this scene as I'm trying to get a team together from my University (Wilfrid Laurier in waterloo, ontario). I have been trying to solve problems from this site for about two weeks now, but seem to have some major problems.
My first question is about input and output in the problems. I'm not too clear on how the input/output streams work and how the judge interprets them to decide if you have the right answer or not. Does the judge simply send all output to a file and check the contents of that file for correctness? Or does it mix the input in with it? The reason I ask is that sometimes for some questions I find it easier to solve an individual set of data right away and output it before the next set is input rather than waiting for all input and then solving it (also this means i can cut down on my multi-dimensional arrays). When I do this however, the output doesn't look very nice on my screen because it's all mixed in with the input. Is this ok?

My next question is regarding online contests. I've found the page on the site that lists upcoming contests, but I don't know how to join them or how to view the problems from the contest (during or after the contest). Also, are these contests meant to be done by individuals or teams or both? If it can be done in teams, how can you join with a team?

Any answers would be greatly helpful, thanks!

[shamim]

First of all, Welcome to the Site...

The answer to your questions in short:

You can take one set of input , process it and give output for that set.. and go onto process the next set.
Indeed your output goes to a single file, which will be compared later with the judges' file. And don't worry how your output looks on the screen. However do print a newline when giving each line of output.

As for the contest, anyone registered member can join, simply solve a preoblem and submit it's solution, your name will automatically appear in the ranklist. See the contest page for details..

As for teams, it is totally up to you, no body is there to stop you.. you can gave ten guys working in one team or just work as individual..

But my advice would be to sit in teams of three, and for short contests like the one held by Uni. of Waterloo, it is better to sit individually, just for self assesment...

[Observer]

Hello Cruzer,

... sometimes for some questions I find it easier to solve an individual set of data right away and output it before the next set is input rather than waiting for all input and then solving it (also this means i can cut down on my multi-dimensional arrays). When I do this however, the output doesn't look very nice on my screen because it's all mixed in with the input. Is this ok?

Yes that's perfectly okay. This is in fact a common practice for most solvers here.

My next question is regarding online contests. I've found the page on the site that lists upcoming contests, but I don't know how to join them or how to view the problems from the contest (during or after the contest)......

Check the pages @ http://acm.uva.es/contest . Everything you asked is answered there.

Wish you enjoy solving problems here~


[Oops... my post comes several seconds after shamim's. It's not meant to be a flood message, really ]