FAQ


Working principle of the DOTS testing system

  • The web-interface of a testing system DOTS provides students an access to the sets of algorithmic problems. Such sets of problems are called "contests", they are created by users with moderator's rights.

    The solution of a problem is a file with the source code of the program, written in one of the allowed programming languages. When you consider your solution to a problem full, you send it for checking to the testing system. The result of this checking is available in a few minutes after the submission. You can submit solutions of one and the same problem a few times in a row or submit solutions to another problems.

    A program-solution is checked by running it on a few secret input files ("tests"). One particular test is considered "passed" and counted into a total score if your program:
    - runs in a given period of time;
    - doesn't use more memory than allowed;
    - creates a correct output for this test.

    Thus, you have to follow the format of the output that is given in the statement of the problem. The solution to a problem is considered right and full if your solution has passed all the tests. The testing system's verdict on a test can be one of the listed below.

Verdicts of the DOTS testing system

  • Verdict Description
    OK

    Accepted. The solution has passed on a particular test. If all tests have this verdict, you've solved the problem.

    CE

    Compilation Error. Compiler hasn't created an executable file. You are given a full output of the compiler so that you can spot the mistake in your source code. Possible causes of this verdict: a syntax error in the program; while sending, the wrong programming language was selected.

    PE

    Presentation Error. Incorrect format of output. Program prints out data that doesn't follow the format given in the statement. Possible causes of this verdict: program prints out needless data; program doesn't print enough data; the files are used for input and output, but the name of the input or output files is typed incorrectly in the program; program doesn't generate output at all.

    WA

    Wrong Answer. Your solution gives a wrong answer. Possible causes of this verdict: wrong algorithm is implemented; an integer overflow occurred; real numbers in output lack significant figures after the decimal point.

    TL

    Time Limit Exceeded. The time of executing the program is exceeded, i.e. your program works longer than it is allowed for the problem. Possible causes for this verdict: algorithms enters an infinite cycle; implemented algorithm has a wrong asymptotic, i.e. this algorithm is not optimal for this problem and you should try to improve it.

    ML

    Memory Limit Exceeded. The limitation of memory usage is exceeded, i.e. your program needs more operative memory than it is allowed for the problem. Possible causes of this verdict: algorithm uses big data structures; there are too many recursion steps in the algorithm.

    RE

    Runtime Error. The execution of the program is ended incorrectly, i.e. an error occurred during the running of the program. Possible causes of this verdict: division by zero, extracting square root of a negative number, reference to the elements of an array or a string that don't exist etc.

    FF

    Forbiden Function. Program references to a function that might crush the work of a testing computer.