CodeChef and Challenge-style programming in the context of (my) career growth
I've recently stumbled upon a site called [CodeChef][1]; I must admit that it has peaked my interest. 

I'm wondering if spending time doing these puzzles (after all, that is what they are), are worth the time for a professional software developer? I'm defining software developer in the context of my current career track. Right now, I develop mostly simple websites, window programs or SQL to aggregate large amounts of data, move data, generate data files, load data and the alike.

I've gone though some of the [examples][2], I've noticed that the programs are smaller and it is more about [algorithms][3] then about software development. Software development being a complete functioning product which would consist of many algorithms and such.

I know this is a bit subjective, but **are these sites wroth the time and effort that one might put in to them?** 

Can doing these puzzles have a **practical, positive influence** on the skills and personal growth of a software developer? My alternative is open source projects. 

Something else that I think is relevant is that I'm currently in a graduate program for a M.S. in Software Engineering. 


  [1]: http://www.codechef.com/
  [2]: http://www.codechef.com/problems/PRIME1/
  [3]: http://www.codechef.com/problems/easy/
CodeChef and Challenge-style programming in the context of (my) career growth
===

I've recently stumbled upon a site called [CodeChef][1]; I must admit that it has peaked my interest. 

I'm wondering if spending time doing these puzzles (after all, that is what they are), are worth the time for a professional software developer? I'm defining software developer in the context of my current career track. Right now, I develop mostly simple websites, window programs or SQL to aggregate large amounts of data, move data, generate data files, load data and the alike.

I've gone though some of the [examples][2], I've noticed that the programs are smaller and it is more about [algorithms][3] then about software development. Software development being a complete functioning product which would consist of many algorithms and such.

I know this is a bit subjective, but **are these sites wroth the time and effort that one might put in to them?** 

Can doing these puzzles have a **practical, positive influence** on the skills and personal growth of a software developer? My alternative is open source projects. 

Something else that I think is relevant is that I'm currently in a graduate program for a M.S. in Software Engineering. 


  [1]: http://www.codechef.com/
  [2]: http://www.codechef.com/problems/PRIME1/
  [3]: http://www.codechef.com/problems/easy/