Interesting Programming Exercises/Problems?

Question

What are some interesting programming exercises/problems?

Also include the language (if relevant).

Answer 1

Programming Challenges

http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Challenges-Steven-S-Skiena/dp/0387001638

Answer 2

PythonChallenge.com

More puzzle oriented - you use the pictures and other info on page (aka view source) to solve your way to the next html puzzle page.

Answer 3

Maybe too simple, but I enjoyed working through Tower of Hanoi

Answer 4

There are a number of great problems at Project Euler. In addition to providing interesting problems, the site will track your scores and progress.

Answer 5

Not entirely sure if this is the sort of thing you're after, but the following page has15 Exercises for Learning a new Programming Language

Answer 6

It depends on what you're trying to accomplish in your exercises. i.e. introducing high-school students to programming or keeping an experienced programmer sharp and on his game.

To help me understand a new language(loops, lists, structures, etc.) I always try to build a "deck of cards" library. I'm a huge fan of the game Blackjack. It has simple rules and can easily be implemented in almost any language.

I already have a strong grasp of programming concepts, so this is always the best challenge for me to understand the basics of a new language that I want to try out. But to do a great game of 21, I need a good deck of cards. And possibly, a pizza.

Answer 7

Try writing an interpreter for a simple programming language, such as Brainf*ck if you've never done anything like that before.