Alter.Nation
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Folks! It’s almost December, and some of you know what that means! Time to break your brains and wonder what you have done with your life! Meaning… it’s time to get crazy with Advent of Code!
What is Advent of Code?
For those not familiar, this is a set of 25 puzzles (each with two parts) set by a guy named Eric Wastl. They have a Christmas theme and story and are solvable with just a little programming knowledge and some puzzle-solving skills. The puzzles start quite easy and get ridiculously complicated, and part two of each day can often be a lot harder. They are hard, but they are really fun!
I can’t believe it! AoC is turning 10 this year! The legend grows, and the tradition continues.
The Alteryx legend himself, @AdamR suggested we try solving these AoC puzzles in Alteryx, and so a new annual tradition began. Many of the ACEs and I didn't want to let this tradition end!
It’s worth noting that the puzzles do not necessarily suit Alteryx directly, but trying to solve them in Alteryx is an excellent chance to sharpen your skills.
We created some rules (because no one needs complete chaos, now do they? (@mceleavey, you are exempt for obvious reasons…)
If you joined us in the last few years, much of the setup will be exactly the same!
We will be solving using "BaseA":
- No RunCommand tool
- No Python tool
- No R tool
- No SDK based Custom Tools (macros are fine)
- No Formula SDK extensions
- No AI (New Rule in 2023!)
- Download tool allowed for downloading (no posting to APIs to get answers from!)
How to Join the Challenge
No matter your level or experience, we would love for you to join us!
- We have an Alteryx leaderboard you can join by going to https://adventofcode.com/2024/leaderboard/private and using the code 908788-a11e85b1.
- ATTENTION! I ask that you use either your real name or your community name so we can make sure we:
- Give you proper credit
- Don’t accidentally remove you because we think you are a bot or non-Alteryx user
- We are chatting on the Alteryx Community under the Advent of Code label as well as on our Advent of Code WhatsApp Group. Join us for hilarious and fun convos but also ask questions if you need to!
Now if that wasn’t enough to convince you then this surely will. Last year we started giving out community badges!
Yep, it’s true! You have a chance to earn an exclusive AoC Community Badge on your profile. Isn’t this so legit? To earn the badge, you must reply to at least one Advent of Code discussion post (in the General forum). This year, we are expanding the badges—you will receive a higher level badge if you reply with your solution to more days. The badge increments are 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25. Who will get the 25 badge this year? It will be a challenge for sure! Badges will be awarded in mid-January so you will have a bit of time to catch up if you get too busy in December.
The leaderboard awards points by the order in which they are solved. As the puzzles are published at midnight Eastern time, this gives those who live on the West Coast an advantage! Generally, this means it is fairest to look at total stars rather than points.
Just like last year, you’ll see community threads started each day for that day’s puzzles where you can either ask for help or post your solution much like weekly challenges (Don’t forget to hide your answer!). Also, A handful of us ACEs will write up our solutions with some alternative solutions from other people every week as a summary for those who can’t keep up on the daily!
Again, if you are up for a challenge and want to grow your Alteryx skills then this is the event of the year for you, and it starts on Dec 1st!
Important Reminders
The leaderboard only supports up to 200 at a time so you need to jump in right away! as it will fill up quickly. We are at 113 already! We all help each other, and you’ll get to work alongside the best Alteryx users in the world to really stretch the limits of what Alteryx can do and build skills you never imagined!
Note: There were a handful who signed up last year and then didn’t end up solving. They have been removed, and it’s assumed that they just got busy with other stuff last year (priorities folks!). This is a new year, and everyone is encouraged to sign up and go after it!
Any questions? Please post below or join us on the WhatsApp group linked above! 😊
Please share far and wide with anyone using Alteryx at your organizations!
