29 Apr Code Golf at IMC: A Student’s Perspective
By Peter Molnar
Attending the Code Golf event organized by Codam and IMC was incredibly fun and intellectually stimulating. It offered me a unique opportunity to engage in creative problem-solving while diving into the most obscure and intricate details of different programming languages. The event combined technical challenges, collaboration, and networking, making for an evening well spent.
What is Code Golf?
For those unfamiliar with code golf, the goal is to solve programming problems using as few characters as possible. This often results in highly obscure—and sometimes downright unreadable—code, forcing participants to think outside the box and explore language features that rarely appear in real-world projects.
The Challenge
At the event, each team consisted of Codam students and IMC trainees. We were given a problem, had an hour to craft the most concise solution possible, and then presented our ideas. Working alongside the trainees was particularly rewarding; despite our different backgrounds, it was great to see that we all spoke the same language—both literally and in terms of our shared understanding of code.
It was fast-paced, a bit chaotic, so much fun, and I picked up a bunch of Python tricks I'd never used before.
It was fascinating to see how different teams approached the challenges, squeezing out every last unnecessary character. Some solutions were elegantly short, while others were convoluted but technically valid, often showcasing obscure language quirks.
A Fellow Student’s Experience
Michelle, another Codam participant, enthusiastically shared her experience: “Recently, I had the chance to join the Code-Golf challenge at IMC’s office in Amsterdam. It was my first time solving puzzles in Python and participating in a Code Golf challenge. Everything was thoroughly explained by the senior devs who were judging the challenges. Together we tackled what seemed like a simple problem at first glance, but the actual challenge was trying to write the shortest possible solution. It was fast-paced, a bit chaotic, so much fun, and I picked up a bunch of Python tricks I’d never used before. Best of all: we won!”
She added, “Beyond the technical challenge, it was inspiring to collaborate with people already working in the industry and having a chance to spar with them.”
Beyond the Code
One of the best parts of the event was the chance to discuss programming languages in a way that was both technical and lighthearted. It was refreshing to step away from writing clean, production-quality code and instead embrace the chaotic beauty of compressed, often absurd-looking solutions.
We wrapped up the night with drinks and pizza, providing the perfect setting to network with IMC employees and fellow participants. I had the chance to talk with software and data engineers, as well as other professionals from IMC, gaining insights into their experiences and the intersection of technology and finance. It was inspiring to hear how software plays a role in their work and to get a glimpse of the culture at IMC.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Code Golf event was a fantastic mix of intellectual challenge, technical exploration, and social engagement. It was an evening that reminded me of the sheer joy of programming—not just as a tool for building software, but as a creative and playful endeavor. I’m grateful for Codam and IMC organizing this, and I look forward to more events like this in the future.