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What is sprint-challenge--algorithms?

scottschindler/sprint-challenge--algorithms — explained in plain English

Analysis updated 2026-08-04 · repo last pushed 2020-02-12

Audience · developerComplexity · 2/5DormantSetup · easy

In one sentence

A graded bootcamp exam that tests students on classic algorithm problems within a three-hour time limit, including short-answer questions on code performance and hands-on coding tasks using recursion and constrained logic.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((repo))
    What it does
      Tests algorithm skills
      Three hour time limit
      Bootcamp assessment
    Exam parts
      Short answer questions
      Hands-on coding tasks
    Coding tasks
      Recursive th counting
      Robot sorting challenge
    Audience
      Bootcamp students
      Instructors grading
    Constraints
      No external libraries
      One bit robot memory
    Habits
      Ask for help after 20 min

Code map

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filefunction / class

What do people build with it?

USE CASE 1

A bootcamp student can prove mastery of algorithms by completing the timed exam tasks.

USE CASE 2

An instructor can grade a student's understanding using the included grading rubric.

USE CASE 3

A learner can practice recursion by writing a function that counts occurrences of a substring.

USE CASE 4

A teacher can assess problem-solving under constraints like the single-bit-memory robot sort.

What is it built with?

JavaScript

How does it compare?

scottschindler/sprint-challenge--algorithms00kaku/gallery-slider-block04amanrajj/netwatch
Stars0
LanguageJavaScriptRust
Last pushed2020-02-122021-05-19
MaintenanceDormantDormant
Setup difficultyeasyeasymoderate
Complexity2/52/53/5
Audiencedevelopergeneralops devops

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you get it running?

Difficulty · easy Time to first run · 5min

No setup needed beyond cloning the repo and opening the test files in a code editor.

No license information is provided in this repository, so default copyright restrictions apply.

So what is it?

This repository is a graded assessment from a coding bootcamp, designed to test whether students can solve classic algorithmic problems on their own within a three-hour time limit. It is not a tool or application, but rather a take-home exam that measures a student's ability to analyze code performance and write problem-solving logic from scratch. The challenge is split into two main parts. The first part is a set of short-answer questions where students must analyze how efficiently pieces of code run, identify different search strategies, and describe their logic in plain English. The second part consists of hands-on coding tasks. One task asks the student to write a function that counts how many times "th" appears in a word using recursion, meaning the function must call itself instead of using standard loops. Another task requires sorting a list of items using a simulated robot that can only perform very basic actions like moving, picking up items, comparing them, and turning a single light on or off. The primary users are bootcamp students and their instructors. A student would use this to prove they have mastered the week's lessons on algorithms and deserve to pass the unit. An instructor uses the included grading rubric to score the student's understanding, awarding points for correctly identifying search strategies, passing automated code tests, and writing efficient solutions. For example, a student might be asked to find the specific floor of a building where an egg would break when dropped, and must explain the most efficient search strategy for doing so. A notable tradeoff in the robot sorting task is the strict constraint that students cannot store variables or use any external libraries. The robot only has one bit of memory, a simple light that turns on or off, forcing the student to invent a creative workaround. The project also encourages a real-world development habit: if a student gets stuck for twenty minutes, they are directed to stop and ask their instructor for help rather than spinning their wheels for the entire three-hour exam.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1
Help me write a recursive JavaScript function that counts how many times the substring 'th' appears in a given string, without using standard loops.
Prompt 2
I have a robot that can only move, pick up items, compare them, and turn a single light on or off. Help me design a sorting algorithm using only these actions and no stored variables.
Prompt 3
I need to find the floor of a building where an egg breaks when dropped. What is the most efficient search strategy and how would I implement it in JavaScript?
Prompt 4
I'm stuck on an algorithm problem for more than 20 minutes during a timed exam. Walk me through how to break down the problem and decide what to ask my instructor.

Frequently asked questions

What is sprint-challenge--algorithms?

A graded bootcamp exam that tests students on classic algorithm problems within a three-hour time limit, including short-answer questions on code performance and hands-on coding tasks using recursion and constrained logic.

Is sprint-challenge--algorithms actively maintained?

Dormant — no commits in 2+ years (last push 2020-02-12).

What license does sprint-challenge--algorithms use?

No license information is provided in this repository, so default copyright restrictions apply.

How hard is sprint-challenge--algorithms to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated easy, with roughly 5min to a first successful run.

Who is sprint-challenge--algorithms for?

Mainly developer.

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