Very good idea, but I don't program that way. I use a competent IDE to tell me syntax errors and obvious programming mistakes while I write. If I can't debug my algorithm with trial & error I write a test first and modify my algorithm until it complies with the test.
To think that a programmer will always come up with the exact and most optimal solution to any given problem is a bit naïve. In my 10 years as a programmer I have never seen one wonder-kid that is able to do that. The real wonder kid assets in a team also tend to be those that are more creative than syntax-anal compared to those that can write syntax-error-free-code with pen and pencil and remember large parts of a phonebook...
To think that a programmer will always come up with the exact and most optimal solution to any given problem is a bit naïve
I have no idea where you saw this being implied. The software highlights syntax and lets you check your code as many times as desired, as well as giving hints if your result isn't correct and providing compiler output. Nothing stops you from googling something. It's not like the software will destroy your file and egg your house because your algorithm is o(n2) instead of o(n); that's up to whoever is evaluating the results.
The fact that it has a polish and chinese version should also give you a little hint about the intended audience.
Well, that's one more reason you should like Codility - you can run test compilations (the VERIFY button) which will show you syntax errors. And in bottom left corner you can apply your test data sets. In other words - you work like in your every day environment. Check it out and let me know what you think.
I did, and now I see comments stating that you should be able to run tests on your code while developing it. That's awesome and what I was missing.
Next step intellisense and on-the-fly syntax checking. I hope no programmers click the "compile"-button nowadays to check if their code is correct...
