Participation lifecycle

Contest session

A span in time during which user is participating in a contest and is allowed to solve tasks.

A contest session is started when used files an application for contest participation (clicks [Enter contest] button).

When contest session is started, if this contest is limited in time (i.e. time_limit is not -1), time countdown is started. After a defined time limit, contest session ends.

While the contest session is active, user can view tasks and submit solutions to them.

User cannot apply to a same contest twice.

A contest session cannot be ended forcibly.

When a contest is ended manually, all linked sessions are ended automatically.