In this video, GRay Defender provides an overview of his 2024 Logiker coding competition entry, focusing on the progression of the source code and the process of refining his submission. The video begins with a discussion of the Vintage Computing Christmas Challenge 2024, organized by Logiker, where participants were tasked with generating a specific box of characters—including white characters and a figure resembling a small “dude”—using any programming language or computer system.
GRay Defender explains his approach to creating the submission, starting with a basic program to draw lines across the screen and incorporate symbols like plus signs at specific positions. He describes the challenges of working with Commodore BASIC, such as the absence of a modulus command, and details how he devised workarounds. GRay Defender sought to optimize his code to reduce its size and enhance efficiency throughout his iterations. He experimented with various methods, including simplifying loops, eliminating unnecessary commands, and condensing the code into as few lines as possible.
The video highlights the evolution of GRay Defender’s submission through multiple versions, ultimately achieving a program size of 97 bytes, according to CBM Program Studio. He shares insights into the thought process behind each optimization step and reflects on lessons learned from the competition.
GRay Defender also reviews other notable submissions, such as entries by Club 77, Logiker, Adam M, and Sorat. He compares their approaches, including the use of mathematical functions and string manipulations, and notes their differences in size and execution speed. He praises the creativity and variety displayed by participants, emphasizing how the competition fosters innovation and exploration of new techniques.
The video concludes with GRay Defender expressing his enjoyment of the competition and his appreciation for the opportunity to improve his programming skills while engaging with the vintage computing community. He encourages viewers to watch Logiker’s video for a comprehensive overview of all the submissions and results.
