While most Rubyists are probably familiar with the Fukuoka Ruby Award there may be multi-linguists who could be tempted to join in a competition that asks you to use Ruby, possibly in conjunction with other languages, and have your code judged by Ruby's creator Yukihiro "Matz" Matsumoto.

Ruby is a powerful and versatile dynamic, object-oriented programming language and while various measures of language popularity suggest it is losing ground to Python and even to languages such as Go and Rust, its wealth of meta-programming constructs make it a language that has hidden depths.

Based in Fukuoka, Japan this competition was set up in 2009 to promote Ruby, raise public awareness of the growing software industry in Fukuoka, and expand the use of Ruby to new regions and industries around the world. As well as a Grand Prize of 1 Million Yen (almost $10,000 USD) it has other cash prizes worth up to 100,000 Yen that are open to international entrants. In 2019 two of the Outstanding Performance Awards went to teams from Canada and New Zealand and Special Prizes were won by Madrid City Council, Spain and USA-based Eventide, makers of audio effect hardware.

While previous Grand Prize winners have included  Rhomobile (USA) and APEC Climate Center (Korea) . last year Matz awarded the cheque for 1 Million Yen to Monster Lab Co of Shimane/Fukuoka for a firmware project with the title "Kamos-brew-Temperature management support for sake brewing" implemented using mruby.

According to the rules, the competition is open to all companies, organizations, and individuals. eligible projects include systems, business models, or activities that utilize the features of the Ruby programming language and may incorporate languages other than Ruby.  Preferred projects are ones that:

1) help increase the popularity or growth of Ruby

2) impact society in a big way or

3) are widely used

To enter all you need do in the first instance is to fill in a downloadable form before the deadline of December 4, 2020. Preliminary evaluation is on the basis on the application documents, attachments, and a preview of the system via the Internet. Successful applicants whose project proceed to Final Selection will receive an email in late December inviting them to make a presentation in Fukuoka, Japan at their own expense. If successful applicants are unable to present in person, the presentation documents may be submitted in lieu.

The competition announcement concludes:

“Matz will be testing and reviewing your source code thoroughly, so it’s very meaningful to apply! The competition is free to enter.”

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