AWS BugBust re:Invent Challenge: Bug Fix Examples and Final Results

What is the AWS BugBust re:Invent Challenge?

AWS re:Invent 2021 featured the AWS BugBust re:Invent Challenge as one of its events. Simply put, it is a "contest where you receive prizes and rewards for fixing as many specified bugs as possible." For more details, please refer to the AWS blog post.

https://aws.amazon.com/jp/blogs/news/help-make-bugbusting-history-at-aws-reinvent-2021/

Examples of Bugs I Fixed

I also participated in this event and fixed 129 bugs. The source code provided for fixing was written in Python and Java.

First, in Python, I mainly fixed processes that were treated as bugs due to potential resource leaks. Below is an example. This alone earned me 3 points, which was quite efficient.

-    f = open('%s/REPS.param'%folder_ICs, 'w')
-    f.write(r_file)
-    f.close()
+    with open('%s/REPS.param'%folder_ICs, 'w') as f:
+        f.write(r_file)

On the other hand, in Java, I mainly fixed processes that were treated as bugs due to poor performance. Below is an example. This one was worth 1 point.

-    for (String key : expressions.keySet()) {
-        String expression = expressions.get(key);
+    for (Entry<String, String> entry : expressions.entrySet()) {
+        String expression = entry.getValue();

The system was designed so that your fixed source code was scored after you submitted a pull request.

Final Results

By accumulating these fixes, I eventually earned 363 points. In the rankings, I placed 57th out of 613 participants.

As a result, I was eligible for the following prizes:

• Fly swatter (1 point)
• Key tag (50 points. Apparently, this was a replacement for hand sanitizer, which has export restrictions)
• Jar (150 points)
• Hoodie (300 points)

If I had pushed a bit further to exceed 500 points, I could have earned an Amazon Echo Dot as well. However, I already own a smart speaker, and since it was a busy time, I decided not to aim for it this time.

For reference, the top score was 2,162 points. The grand prize was 1,500 USD.

If the AWS BugBust re:Invent Challenge is held again, I would definitely like to participate. Fixing bugs was fun and served as a great learning experience.

By the way, this event was reportedly certified as a Guinness World Record for the "Largest bug fixing challenge." I also received the certificate.