coincide?

For OCR character recognition, an old AI application field, there have been countless related open-source projects since the day AI was proposed.

It can even be said that anyone who understands a bit of computer programming can find an open-source framework to achieve the basic functions.

However, Ctrl C + V is one thing; actually writing it yourself is another.

This is the difference between copying and creating.

The host continued with his kind demeanor, “Does anyone have any questions?”

Soon, someone in the audience raised a hand, “Excuse me, Professor, what is the assessment standard?”

The host’s answer was extremely concise, “Recognition accuracy.”

Lin Yuan understood instantly. This was like a martial arts competition at a martial arts convention, where the assessment standard was simple and brutal: whoever was the last one standing was the winner.

Corresponding to this assessment, it meant whoever had the highest recognition accuracy in their solution.

As the saying goes, there is no first in liberal arts and no second in science; the final numerical result is the only criterion for judgment.

“Any other questions?”

Subsequently, the examinees asked a bunch of irrelevant questions.

“Are we completely forbidden from using open-source frameworks?”

“What if we borrow their ideas?”

“Are there any requirements for the implementation solution?”

...

Lin Yuan found it a bit noisy. He stood up and raised his hand.

His dark complexion from delivering food quickly drew attention, and a staff member immediately handed him a microphone.

Lin Yuan briefly organized his thoughts, “Professor, I have a few questions.”

“Student, please speak.”

“First, are there no regulations whatsoever regarding the technical solutions used, such as language, IDE, or algorithms?”

The host on stage nodded calmly, “That’s right. No restrictions.”

“So it’s a no-rules fight,” Lin Yuan joked.

“Haha, student, you are very humorous. But this interview is indeed an ‘octagon cage’.”

Lin Yuan continued to ask, “Second, you just said: open-source frameworks cannot be used. Can open-source mathematical toolkits be used?”

The host pointed at Lin Yuan and nodded approvingly, “You asked a good question. This is a good question about interfaces. Many students just asked questions, but it seems no one cared about boundary issues like this student.”

Lin Yuan naturally understood what “boundary” meant: it was about the interpretation of the phrase “open-source frameworks cannot be used.”

“Mathematical toolkits are, of course, allowed.”

In Lin Yuan’s view, mathematical toolkits were like weapons used in a martial arts competition. Not allowing the use of open-source frameworks was essentially not allowing participants to use the various famous moves of martial arts seniors.

“However…” The host’s face once again showed a kind smile.

“However, many mathematical toolkits nowadays are not just toolkits. Many integrate complete solutions, so you need to be careful when choosing. Don’t accidentally call an integrated solution interface.”

Lin Yuan then respectfully said, “Understood, Professor. I have no more questions.”

He already understood. This interview was like asking participants to create their own moves but allowing them to choose their weapons freely. And the so-called mathematical toolkits with integrated solutions were like enchanted weapons. During the competition, one might accidentally use an enchanted move.

Lin Yuan’s microphone was quickly passed to another student, who asked his doubt, “Excuse me, Professor, what happens if we accidentally call an integrated solution?”

The host frowned upon hearing this, “Student, why would you ask such a question? Why do you think that student just now didn’t ask?”

The questioner immediately looked embarrassed, and many people present looked at Lin Yuan, as if trying to decipher something from his face.

Although embarrassed, the questioner did not sit down, “But Professor, how do we grasp this boundary? How do we know which interfaces can be called and which cannot?”

“Oh?” The host looked at the questioner with caring and kind eyes, “Student, that is your own problem.”

“Alright, Professor Zhang.” A person on the podium stood up and walked to the host, whispering, “Don’t make it difficult for these children.”

Then that person took the microphone and spoke, “Professor Zhang has already made it very clear. Understanding requirements is the first step to becoming a qualified engineer, and the Q&A about the assessment mechanism ends here.”

Lin Yuan also roughly guessed the host’s identity. From his speech, it was clear that he couldn’t really be a host; a professor’s identity seemed more logical.

“Next, let’s refine the scoring criteria. The practical OCR project results ranking accounts for 50%, and the traditional interview assessment ranking also accounts for 50%. The sum of both rankings will be used to select the top 60.”

Lin Yuan complained to himself, it seemed Professor Zhang hadn’t said everything just now. The traditional interview assessment was still not completely abandoned, it was just given a lower weight.

However, for Lin Yuan, this was already a good result.

Because under the guidance of the computing power system, he had a certain understanding of the principles of OCR character recognition. Lin Yuan did not crudely adopt the method of piling up computing power to achieve miracles; he tried to read the underlying implementation code of OCR recognition.

Although, he did not fully comprehend all of that code.

Lin Yuan summoned his system panel. ‘It guided me to contact OCR projects, and today’s assessment happens to be an OCR project. Is this a coincidence?’

Without time to think much, over a hundred people were quickly divided into different classrooms. Each person was assigned a desk, followed by a series of grim faces staring at laptop screens.

A few unlucky ones didn’t bring laptops and could only innocently ask the teachers for solutions.

Professor Zhang’s reply was straightforward.

“Computer science people who don’t bring their tools for eating when they go out, you can go back.”

For some reason, Lin Yuan inexplicably developed a fondness for this Professor Zhang.

—

Ultimately, those unlucky few who didn’t bring laptops were not really sent back but were provided with machines by the school.

Actually, Professor Zhang’s harsh words couldn’t be blamed, because a laptop for a computer science student is like a swordsman’s sword. A swordsman going to a martial arts arena without his sword is a huge joke in itself.

Moreover, Lin Yuan clearly remembered that the interview notification email clearly stated, “Please bring a laptop computer for the interview. If this is not possible, please contact the admissions teacher in advance.”

The graduate stage is not like the undergraduate stage; obviously, there won won't be many opportunities for you to be lackadaisical.

—

Lin Yuan had previously thoroughly understood the graduate entrance examination process for computer science.

He had heard that during interviews, practical machine operation might be required, or even handwriting code with pen and paper.

But like many people, Lin Yuan didn’t expect to be asked to write native OCR implementations of AI algorithms on the spot.

This could be seen from the situation in the classroom at that moment; although everyone had a laptop, the sound of typing was sparse. Clearly, many people didn’t know where to start.

Lin Yuan asked himself, if it hadn’t happened to be OCR character recognition, if it had been fingerprint recognition, or other image recognition assessments, then he would have basically been out of luck.

Even though he had the computing power system, this system didn’t have the great power of one-click improvement.