Proggy Buggy Towel Contest
Why 42?
The 42-minute time limit is inspired by The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.
“The Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything is 42.”
— Deep Thought, after 7 million years of calculation
That’s why participants get exactly 42 minutes to solve the problems.
Why “Proggy” and “Buggy”?
The main characters of the contest problems are Proggy and Buggy. Proggy comes from the word “program,” while Buggy refers to programming bugs and errors.
Proggy is a highly skilled and creative programmer, while Buggy occasionally causes unexpected errors and complications that Proggy must overcome.
Why Participate in the Proggy-Buggy Contest?
Proggy-Buggy Contest is not just about solving problems — it’s about gaining experience, testing yourself, and enjoying the challenge.
By participating, you can:
- Try competitive programming without spending hours on a contest
- Discover your strengths and gaps in algorithms and logic
- Compare your approaches with other participants after the contest
- Meet other participants, especially if you join an offline hub
Unlike many programming contests, Proggy-Buggy Contest:
- lasts only 42 minutes
- includes unusual and fun problems
- is beginner-friendly while still challenging for experienced participants
👉 Even if you are just starting, Proggy-Buggy Contest is a great way to try competitive programming in a friendly, low-pressure format.
You do not need to solve all 13 problems to have a successful contest experience.
Place and Time
The contest is held twice a year:
- Towel Contest on May 25th — individual participation only
- Proggy-Buggy Contest at the end of October — team participation only
Why Towel?
The Spring contest is traditionally held on Towel Day, celebrated worldwide on May 25th by fans of Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Online or Offline?
The contest is held online, but participants can also join from selected DataArt offices and partner hubs worldwide.
The list of available offline locations will be published on the registration page and sent to all registered participants before the contest.
When Does the Contest Start?
The contest starts and ends at the same time for all participants worldwide.
Before the contest, organizers send participants a link to the official YouTube livestream. The time announced in advance refers to the start of the livestream, not to the beginning of the 42-minute contest itself.
During the livestream, organizers:
- repeat the contest rules,
- answer participants’ questions,
- and officially announce the start of the contest timer.
That’s why it is important to join the livestream on time so you do not miss the beginning of the contest.
Registration
Registration opens approximately one month before the contest and is required for every participant.
Registration takes place through the official contest page after the contest is announced.
How to Register for the Towel Contest
To register for the Towel Contest, you need to:
- Create an account or make sure you still have access to your existing account
- Fill in the registration form
- Follow the instructions in the confirmation email
⚠ Registration closes one day before the contest. It is not possible to register on the contest day.
How to Create an Account
- Go to the Training page and open any available contest.
- Click Create Account in the top menu.
- Fill in all required fields and choose the participant category that best matches your experience level.
- Check your email and follow the confirmation link.
- Confirm your account within 24 hours. Unconfirmed accounts are automatically removed.
After creating an account, you can start practicing using previous contests. The same account can be used both for practice contests and official participation.
Forgot Your Login or Password?
- Forgot your password? Use the password recovery option on any Training contest page.
- Forgot your login? If you cannot recover it, you may need to create a new account.
https://www.proggy-buggy.com/