CCA Preview ’15: Raffles Computer Science Club

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The Raffles Institution Computer Science Club was founded in 1823 and is — despite being one of the most fascinating — one of the least understood CCA’s in the school. The CCA is in fact an underground organisation that promotes a thorough and rigorous understanding of black magic and its practical applications in everyday life. This short write­up seeks to clear misconceptions about the club, as well as to give a brief overview of what it aims to achieve and what each mystical session is like.

The likeness of magic folk captured on a mystic glass box
The likeness of magic folk captured on a mystic glass box

The CCA gets its name from a magic box first invented by The Right Honourable Grandmaster Wizard Sir Randolf the Fabulous, a pioneering wizard and one of the most controversial practitioners of black magic to ever walk this earth. Commonfolk understand little about these magic boxes, often going to extensive lengths to avoid interacting directly with them. For example, some resort to making use of prefabricated automagical blogging platforms such as WordPress, Joomla and Ghost to stay away from the InterWeb Magic known as the Holy Tempest of Mystic Light (HTML).

Despite making use of the enchantments laid upon their portable magic boxes on a daily basis, few can be said to have more than a cursory understanding of the darker and deeper works behind these spells. Many an unwise wizard or witch has sadly fallen prey to the Abyss of Four­O­Four and become separated from the InterWeb pipes that bind our magical community together.

Magic box likeness of some CCA members at 2014 Hackatron Asia magic box wizardry contest
Magic box likeness of some CCA members at the 2014 Hackatron Asia magic box wizardry contest

To address this lack of understanding, the CCA tries its very best to study further the magic box and seeks to find new and novel applications for it in the lives of commonfolk. Prominent CCA members compete in and win big at professional level wizardry contests, placing this CCA amongst the top Magic Box Organisations in the country.

The average session is split into 2 sections: “design” and “programming”. The former seeks to find ways to use magic boxes to create digital art. On the other hand, the latter seeks to fully understand and build on the magic boxes themselves.

As with any CCA as intense as this, there are inherent dangers. It is not uncommon for members to find themselves uncontrollably addicted to games that they themselves made. In such situations, trained personnel administer electroshock therapy and employ a bouncer to physically separate the offending member from his/her magic box. Another serious threat is that of electrocution. These magic boxes are powered by magical energy that flows in our walls. This magical energy is unfortunately unsafe for commonfolk and wizards alike. Due to the high density of magic boxes, members may find themselves jolted by 240V RMS AC.

Magic box likeness of CCA members with prizes from the Hack and Roll black box wizardry tournament held by the National United Spellcasters (NUS)
Magic box likeness of CCA members with prizes from the Hack and Roll black box wizardry tournament held by the National Union of Spellcasters (NUS)

 

The magical nature of black­box­work makes for flexible CCA sessions and content. However, necessary requirements for magic­work and wand­wielding include hands, optical light portals, and interest in the dark and mysterious world of black boxes.

It is our sincere hope that you now have a solid understanding of the Computer Science Club. Should you have any questions, feel free to email us at exco@comsci.club. You may also visit our website at comsci.club.

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