IOCCC

Updated: 08/02/2020 by Computer Hope

The IOCCC (Internet Obfuscated C Code Contest), is a sometimes annual competition between computer programmers that began in 1984. Contest entries must be written in the C programming language, in an obscure or obfuscated way. Winning programs have a purpose that is unclear, hidden, or cleverly designed.

As of 2020, 26 IOCCC competitions have taken place.

An example of a winning program is "duble," winner of the 2015 prize for "best handwriting." The code for the program looks like this:

2015 IOCCC winner (duble) source code

When compiled and executed, this program uses Unicode characters to draw animated handwritten letters in your terminal, like this:

2015 IOCCC winner duble, sample output

For more information and source code to winning programs, visit IOCCC website.

Computer acronyms, Obfuscation, Programming terms