In these competitions, it's about implementing a solution as fast as possible, while still get it working under the time limit (5/8 minutes). It's mostly about having the right idea and implement it.
In very many cases, you would like to be able to manipulate and play with algorithms and have efficient mutable data structures. For this, Java/C++ (Essentially C with data structures) is very suitable.
However, in some cases, you'd like to perform advanced simulations, mathematical calculations or manipulations where immutable data structures are more suitable. In those cases, you would LIKE to have magic: Arbitrary numbers, ratios, (efficient) immutable data structures and a more functional style would not only eliminate work, but also reduce the amount of errors you're likely to do.
The important part is that the implementation uses the right idea, not that the implementation is fast. Usually it's handy with a lower-level language to implement the algorithm right, but at times, a higher level (functional) language is better when it comes to implementation speed.
In these competitions, it's about implementing a solution as fast as possible, while still get it working under the time limit (5/8 minutes). It's mostly about having the right idea and implement it.
In very many cases, you would like to be able to manipulate and play with algorithms and have efficient mutable data structures. For this, Java/C++ (Essentially C with data structures) is very suitable.
However, in some cases, you'd like to perform advanced simulations, mathematical calculations or manipulations where immutable data structures are more suitable. In those cases, you would LIKE to have magic: Arbitrary numbers, ratios, (efficient) immutable data structures and a more functional style would not only eliminate work, but also reduce the amount of errors you're likely to do.
The important part is that the implementation uses the right idea, not that the implementation is fast. Usually it's handy with a lower-level language to implement the algorithm right, but at times, a higher level (functional) language is better when it comes to implementation speed.