Introducing Our First Computer Science Challenge!
Tags: devchallenge, cschallenge, computerscience
Published: 2024-06-12 18:36:15

In celebration of Pride Month, we are excited to introduce our first [Computer Science Challenge](https://dev.to/challenges/cs) in honor of Alan Turing, the brilliant gay  English mathematician and crypto-analyst who is widely considered to be the “Father of Computer Science.” His birthday would have been on June 22, right in the middle of our challenge! So let’s celebrate. 

For this challenge, there is only one simple writing prompt and one winner. Our winner will receive an exclusive DEV badge of honor and a gift from the [DEV Shop](https://shop.forem.com). Participants with a valid submission will receive a completion badge.

## Our Prompt

We are bringing back the **One Byte Explainer**!

Your challenge is to **explain a computer science concept in 256 characters or less.** 

You can pick any concept (i.e. “Big O Notation, “Recursion” “P vs NP Problem”) and explain concisely what it is and why it’s relevant. You have 256 characters — less than a tweet — to get your point across, so the challenge is keeping it simple.

256 characters is ludicrously few for some of these concepts, that’s what makes it a challenge!

_**Would you rather be coding, with a chance to win cash prizes?** Then check out the [Twilio Challenge](https://dev.to/devteam/join-us-for-the-twilio-challenge-5000-in-prizes-4fdi) with a $5,000 prize pool!_

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## How To Participate

In order to participate in the Computer Science Challenge, you will need to publish a post using the following submission template:

{% cta https://dev.to/new?prefill=---%0Atitle%3A%20%0Apublished%3A%20%0Atags%3A%20devchallenge%2C%20cschallenge%2C%20computerscience%2C%20beginners%0A---%0A%0A*This%20is%20a%20submission%20for%20%5BDEV%20Computer%20Science%20Challenge%20v24.06.12%3A%20One%20Byte%20Explainer%5D(https%3A%2F%2Fdev.to%2Fchallenges%2Fcs).*%0A%0A%23%23%20Explainer%0A%0A%3C!--%20Explain%20a%20computer%20science%20concept%20in%20256%20characters%20or%20less.%20--%3E%0A%0A%23%23%20Additional%20Context%0A%0A%3C!--%20Please%20share%20any%20additional%20context%20you%20think%20the%20judges%20should%20take%20into%20consideration%20as%20it%20relates%20to%20your%20One%20Byte%20Explainer.%20--%3E%0A%0A%3C!--%20Team%20Submissions%3A%20Please%20pick%20one%20member%20to%20publish%20the%20submission%20and%20credit%20teammates%20by%20listing%20their%20DEV%20usernames%20directly%20in%20the%20body%20of%20the%20post.%20--%3E%0A%0A%3C!--%20Don%27t%20forget%20to%20add%20a%20cover%20image%20to%20your%20post%20(if%20you%20want).%20--%3E%0A%0A%3C!--%20Thanks%20for%20participating!%20--%3E %}
One Byte Explainer Submission Template
{% endcta %}
{% endcard %}

Please review our [judging criteria, rules, guidelines, and FAQ page](https://dev.to/challenges/cs) before submitting so you understand our participation guidelines and [official contests rules](https://dev.to/page/cs-challenge-v24-06-12-contest-rules) such eligibility requirements. 

## Important Dates

- June 12: Computer Science Challenge begins!
- <mark>June 23: Submissions due at 11:59 PM PDT</mark>
- June 25: Winner Announced

## "Father of Computer Science"

Interested in learning more about Alan Turing? Check out these posts to learn about his accomplishments and contributions to Computer Science:

{% embed https://dev.to/devteam/celebrating-dev-pride-alan-turing-52eh %}

{% embed https://dev.to/devteam/dev-pride-alan-turing-the-father-of-modern-computing-39in %}

{% embed https://dev.to/devteam/happy-110th-birthday-alan-turing-3m6o %}

{% embed https://dev.to/devteam/happy-111th-birthday-alan-turing-5271 %}

We hope you enjoy this writing challenge! Have questions? Ask them below.

Good luck and happy coding!