You think this is bad?? Up in the attic I have a huge tome of official IBM Fortran maths functions listings which I nicked years ago thinking they might come in handy. Every line has a label and almost very line has a goto, it's the coding equivalent of Hampton Court maze.
It made sense at the time. I think we were all much more intelligent in those days, the race back to primordial soup is clearly accelerating.
- Visitors can check out the Forum FAQ by clicking this link. You have to register before you can post: click the REGISTER link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. View our Forum Privacy Policy.
- Want to receive the latest contracting news and advice straight to your inbox? Sign up to the ContractorUK newsletter here. Every sign up will also be entered into a draw to WIN £100 Amazon vouchers!
Reply to: Programmer's challenge
Collapse
You are not logged in or you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:
- You are not logged in. If you are already registered, fill in the form below to log in, or follow the "Sign Up" link to register a new account.
- You may not have sufficient privileges to access this page. Are you trying to edit someone else's post, access administrative features or some other privileged system?
- If you are trying to post, the administrator may have disabled your account, or it may be awaiting activation.
Logging in...
Previously on "Programmer's challenge"
Collapse
-
Guest replied
-
Programmer's challenge
Here's a bit of very badly written C-code that acts as a converter, transforming input to alternative output...
#include<stdio.h>
#include<string.h>
main()
{
char*O,l[999]="'`acgo\177~|xp .-\0R^8) NJ6%K4O+A2M(*0ID57$3G1FBL";
while(O=fgets(l+45,954,stdin)){
*l=O[strlen(O)[O-1]=0,strspn(O,l+11)];
while(*O)switch((*l&&isalnum(*O))-!*l){
case-1:{char*I=(O+=strspn(O,l+12)+1)-2,O=34;
while(*I&3&&(O=(O-16<<1)+*I---'-')<80);
putchar(O&93?*I&8||!(I=memchr(l,O,44))?'?':I-l+47:32);
break;
case 1: ;}*l=(*O&31)[l-15+(*O>61)*32];
while(putchar(45+*l%2),(*l=*l+32>>1)>35);
case 0: putchar((++O,32));}
putchar(10);}
}
The challenge is to deduce what the code is supposed to do.
Nb. you can't compile it as there are a couple of syntax errors.
I think I know the answer - it's contained in these 2 words:
malnourished
immunosuppressiveTags: None
- Home
- News & Features
- First Timers
- IR35 / S660 / BN66
- Employee Benefit Trusts
- Agency Workers Regulations
- MSC Legislation
- Limited Companies
- Dividends
- Umbrella Company
- VAT / Flat Rate VAT
- Job News & Guides
- Money News & Guides
- Guide to Contracts
- Successful Contracting
- Contracting Overseas
- Contractor Calculators
- MVL
- Contractor Expenses
Advertisers
Contractor Services
CUK News
- How deepfake AI contractors threaten umbrella company supply chains under JSL Yesterday 06:31
- Mileage rates review: Will the first AMAP rethink in 15 years benefit contractors? May 19 05:57
- What is a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE), and are FDE jobs for IT contractors ripe? May 18 04:43
- IT contractor demand lunged towards growth in April 2026 May 13 04:48
- What does PGMOL’s win over HMRC mean for contractors? May 12 07:25
- Contractors eyeing mortgages ‘unrealistic about BoE’s 3.75% hold decision’ May 11 07:50
- The fake job problem is getting worse. Are contractors a particularly easy target? May 8 07:49
- Government policy on freelancing is stopping the contractor model from doing its thing May 7 08:12
- Contractors, can the new HMRC loan charge settlement opportunity reduce your bill? May 6 07:51
- Contractors, can the new HMRC loan charge settlement opportunity reduce your bill? May 6 04:51

Leave a comment: