Coding Interface Model Guide

This document describes and compares the coding interfaces used by Talent Academy, HackerRank, and CodingBat. Each platform is documented separately to clarify how boilerplate code, input handling, and student responsibilities differ.

Talent Academy

Scenario 1: Boilerplate Code Is Provided

When boilerplate code is provided, Talent Academy supplies the required function signature and system-level code. Students are expected to implement only the core logic within the designated function.

• Function name and structure are predefined
• Input and output handling are managed by the platform
• Used for guided assessments and exam-style problems

class Result {
    public static String solve(String input) {
        // Student implements logic here
    }
}

Scenario 2: Boilerplate Code Is NOT Provided

In this mode, the coding editor may be completely blank. Students must write the entire program from scratch.

• No starter code is provided
• Students must include imports, class definition, and main()
• Input reading and output printing are handled explicitly
• Used for full-code and advanced challenges

import java.util.*;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Read input
        // Apply logic
        // Print output
    }
}

HackerRank

Scenario 1: Boilerplate Code Is Provided

Many HackerRank problems, including ACSL-hosted challenges, use a function-based model where boilerplate code is supplied.

• Function signature is predefined
• Input and output are handled by the platform
• Execution wrapper is typically hidden from the user
• Students write logic only inside the given function

static int solve(int[] input) {
    // Implement logic here
}

Scenario 2: Boilerplate Code Is NOT Provided

Some HackerRank challenges require students to write a complete program.

• No starter code is supplied
• Students must write imports, main(), input, and output
• Common in competitive programming challenges

public class Solution {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Full solution implementation
    }
}

CodingBat

Function-Based Model Only

CodingBat exclusively uses a function-only model without any visible execution wrapper.

• Only a bare function definition is shown
• No input or output code is visible
• Students return a value directly
• All testing and execution are fully abstracted

public int sumDouble(int a, int b) {
    // Implement logic here
}

Overall Summary

• Talent Academy supports both function-only and full-program models depending on the assessment
• HackerRank supports both function-only and full-program models
• CodingBat supports only function-based problems with no wrapper

This distinction clarifies submission expectations across platforms and ensures consistency for students and educators.