StoutFiles - 9:51 pm on Dec 10, 2010 (gmt 0)

They're calling it a Hacker Cup to make it sound more exciting. Programming competitions sound like something an uber-nerd would do, while hacking is something Neo from the Matrix would do. That's not my view of course but what I believe the general populous believes. Hacking = cool, Programming = not cool.

Whether hacking meant programming back in the day is irrelevant; hacking is equal to breaking in today's terms. Breaking into files, into computers, breaking websites. It's commonly associated with illegal activities. That said, today's "hackers" are mostly script kiddies, but there are some that are great programmers.