With the AMPscript challenge now closed – it’s time to reveal the winners and share their amazing solutions with the community. If you need a refresher on the competition, the details are here: https://www.cameronrobert.com.au/sfmc/ampscript-fizzbuzz-challenge/

It has to be said that the quality of submissions from the community has been amazing! 28 people took the time to solve the challenge and most of the submissions followed the same basic (and efficient) approach to the problem. I’m really looking forward to running more of these types of activities for the community in the future!

So lets meet our code champions and their solutions!

1st Place – Shams Saif (183)

%%[for @i=1 to 1000 do SET @a=Concat(iif(Mod(@i,3)<1,'Fizz',n),iif(Mod(@i,5)<1,'Buzz',n),iif(Mod(@i,7)<1,'Boing',n),iif(Mod(@i,11)<1,'Bang',n))]%%%%=iif(@a=='',@i,@a)=%%<br>%%[next]%%

✔️Removed unnecessary spaces – saving multiple characters
✔️Minified all variables – saving multiple characters
✔️Dropped the unnecessary @i from the next function – saving 3 characters
✔️Used <1 rather than ==0 in MOD() functions – saving 4 characters
✔️Used n rather than ” in the iif() statement – saving 4 characters

Shams managed to find every possible string shortening trick to bring his code down to an incredible 183 characters!

“I discovered that the iif() statement accepts a random character in the false clause by chance. I was trying to find a way to get rid of the ” characters and found than any single character works! You have to put a character though, a space does not work.”

Shams Saif

Fun Fact: Only 2 people submitted the single character iif() trick. Shams Saif and Jarrett Bush, and it was discovered that you can use any single character (not just n), however this trick doesn’t work in Email Studio (only on CloudPages).

2nd Place – Sascha Huwald (187)

%%[FOR @i=1 TO 1000 DO set @s=Concat(IIF(MOD(@i,3)<1,'Fizz',''),IIF(MOD(@i,5)<1,'Buzz',''),IIF(MOD(@i,7)<1,'Boing',''),IIF(MOD(@i,11)<1,'Bang',''))]%%%%=IIF(@s=='',@i,@s)=%%<br>%%[NEXT]%%

✔️Removed unnecessary spaces – saving multiple characters
✔️Minified all variables – saving multiple characters
✔️Dropped the unnecessary @i from the next function – saving 3 characters
✔️Used <1 rather than ==0 in MOD() functions – saving 4 characters
❌Used n rather than ” in the iif() statement

With just 4 characters difference caused by the single character iif() trick, Sascha’s code is an excellent response to the FizzBuzzBoingBang challenge.

I encourage everyone to solve the problem before you start coding. A conceptual design of solving a problem can be applied to any programming language. The key is to solve the problem first.

Sascha Huwald

Sascha Huwald also identified that using a Code Resource (Text) Cloud Page eliminates the need for the 4 characters used for line break “<br>”. This fact would make the shortest possible solution to this problem only 180 characters! Nice find Sascha!

Sascha’s AMPscript code game is strong, but his SSJS code game is a force to be reckoned with! For those who didn’t know – Sascha is the Author of Email360 and the SSJS-lib; a sleek and powerful library for faster and easier development in Salesforce Marketing Cloud.

3rd Place – Josephine Danielle Biscocho (192)

%%[FOR @i=1 TO 1000 DO SET @j=concat(iif(mod(@i,3)>0,"","Fizz"),iif(mod(@i,5)>0,"","Buzz"),iif(mod(@i,7)>0,"","Boing"),iif(mod(@i,11)>0,"","Bang"))output(iif(empty(@j),@i,@j))]%%<br>%%[NEXT]%%

✔️Removed unnecessary spaces – saving multiple characters
✔️Minified all variables – saving multiple characters
✔️Dropped the unnecessary @i from the next function – saving 3 characters
✔️Used >0 rather than ==0 in MOD() functions – saving 4 characters
❌Used n rather than ” in the iif() statement
❌Used empty(@j) rather than @j==” in the output iif() statement – adding 3 characters
❌Used output() rather than iif() as an inline function – adding 2 characters

Josephine Danielle Biscocho used a slightly different approach that involved leveraging the Output() function. While this method did cost her 2 additional characters, she still had some of the cleanest code submitted by removing all unnecessary spaces and using the >0 solution in the MOD() function; a trick that only 7 people used!

Honourable Mentions

The solutions below didn’t place in the top 3 for the criteria of the competition, however their authors did bring something new and interesting to the challenge that the community will benefit from reading.
Note: I’ve formatted these solutions slightly to make them easier to read and understand their unique solution!

Rafał Wolsztyniak – BuildRowsetFromString & Replace

%%[SET @r=BuildRowsetFromString('3♫5♫7♫11♫Fizz♫Buzz♫Boing♫Bang','♫')
FOR @x=1 to 1000 DO
 SET @l=@x
 FOR @y=1 to 4 DO
  SET @l=Concat(@l,IIF(Mod(@x,Field(Row(@r,@y),1))==0,Field(Row(@r,Add(4,@y)),1),''))
 NEXT @y]%%
 %%=v(IIF(@l==@x,@l,Replace(@l,@x,'')))=%%<br>
%%[NEXT]%%

Rafał’s solution involved the use of a RowSet & Replace function, but don’t like the ♫ fool you – this solution is one of the most scalable options submitted.

Marouenne Belhaj – 2x BuildRowsetFromString

%%[SET @m=BuildRowsetFromString("3*5*7*11","*")
SET @p=BuildRowsetFromString("Fizz*Buzz*Boing*Bang","*")
FOR @i=1 to 1000 DO
 SET @c=""
 FOR @j=1 TO 4 DO
  SET @c=Concat(@c,IIF(MOD(@i,FormatNumber(Field(Row(@m,@j),1),"N"))==0,Field(Row(@p,@j),1),""))
 NEXT
 SET @c=IIF(@c=="",@i,@c)
]%%
 %%=v(@c)=%%<br>
%%[
NEXT
]%%

Similarly to Rafał’s solution, Marouenne has developed an extremely scalable solution that can be very easily adapted to add new FizzBuzz conditions. An excellent example of code that is built to be easy to read and altered in the future!

Jarrett Bush – 183 character MOD() comparison trick

%%[FOR @x=2 TO 1001 DO
SET @y=Concat(IIF(Mod(@x,3),"Fizz",?),IIF(Mod(@x,5),"Buzz",?),IIF(Mod(@x,7),"Boing",?),IIF(Mod(@x,11),"Bang",?))]%%%%=IIF(@y=="",Add(@x,-1),@y)=%%<br>%%[NEXT]%%

Jarrett found this little hack while playing with the MOD function. The MOD function give a remainder as the result, so if the remainder is “1”, that also works as a TRUE value for a comparison. Therefore you can drop the comparison statement and force a reminder of 1 by shifting the counter up by 1 (from 2 to 1001). Amazing find Jarrett!

I first learnt about the FizzBuzz code challenge in one of Tom Scott’s YouTube videos and it’s stuck with me ever since. The problem is so simple to explain, but can be achieved so many different ways and the way you choose to approach it can say a lot about your code development style and skill level.

Here is how the FizzBuzz Challenge works

Develop some code that outputs each number from 1 to 100 (on a new line for each record).
For multiples of 3, replace the number with “Fizz”.
For multiples of 5, replace the number with “Buzz”.
And for numbers which are multiples of both 3 and 5, output “FizzBuzz” instead of the number.

For example, the first 20 outputs would look like this:

1. 1
2. 2
3. Fizz
4. 4
5. Buzz
6. Fizz
7. 7
8. 8
9. Fizz
10. Buzz
11. 11
12. Fizz
13. 13
14. 14
15. FizzBuzz
16. 16
17. 17
18. Fizz
19. 19
20. Buzz

The FizzBuzz Challenge in AMPscript

The internet is littered with solutions to the original FizzBuzz code challenge, and while there is a lot to learn from reading how other people have solved this problem, the most value will be gained by attempting it yourself! So here is my alteration on the FizzBuzz Challenge – called “FizzBuzzBoingBang” – for you to try using AMPscript in Salesforce Marketing Cloud:

Develop some code that outputs each number from 1 to 1000 (on a new line for each record).
For multiples of 3, replace the number with “Fizz”.
For multiples of 5, replace the number with “Buzz”.
For multiples of 7, replace the number with “Boing”.
For multiples of 11, replace the number with “Bang”.
When a number meets multiple conditions, the output should be in the above display order without spaces.
For example: 21 would be “FizzBoing”, 55 would be “BuzzBang”, and 1155 would be the first instance of “FizzBuzzBoingBang”.

If you’re looking for some tips on how to approach this challenge, take a look at the AMPscript Mod() function. I explain how this and other math function works in my AMPscript Math Functions video!

Competition: Smallest Solution to FizzBuzz in AMPscript

Now for some fun – lets see how small you can make your AMPscript code to solve the “FizzBuzzBoingBang” challenge above. Submit your code entry using the Competition Forms Link below (closed). The winning solutions will be announced publicly on social networks at the end of the competition.

The purpose of this competition is to have fun in AMPscript and to identify, celebrate and learn from AMPscript experts – for the benefit of the community. There are no “prizes” to be won, other than the social gratification gained from authoring a winning solution to this challenge.

Competition Entry Conditions

1. Submissions will be collected via Google Forms. Only 1 submission per person.
2. Competition opens on September 13, and closes on September 30. Or put more simply, if the Google Forms link doesn’t work, the competition is closed.
3. Submissions that do not comply with the Competition Rules (Below) will be excluded.
4. The information you submit in the form (solution code, name and social links) will be curated and shared publicly for other trailblazers to view and learn from.
5. Winning and noteworthy submissions will be publicised on social networks including but not limited to LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, etc. to give credit/kudos/praise to the code authors.

Competition Rules

• The winner will be the code author who submits the shortest AMPscript code snippet that achieves the required output (see below). Code submissions that fail to produce the required output will be disqualified.
• Your code must be fully self-contained AMPscript, able to copied and run on a CloudPage. Your code can not leverage Server-Side JavaScript or external/reference resources (such as DEs or GET/POST requests).
• The “shortest code” will be determined by character count based on https://charactercounttool.com/, using the “Characters (including spaces)” value.
• Code best practices are not assessed, the aim is to write the shortest functional code.
• In the event of 2 authors submitting solutions with equal (winning) code length, the first/earliest entry will be the winner.
• Attempts to subvert the rules or deviate from the purpose/spirit of this competition will result in disqualification.

The required output can be found here: https://github.com/camrobert/SalesforceMarketingCloud/blob/main/Challenge/FizzBuzzBoingBang_Output

The output must be visually identical with a new line for each record as shown below. The method chosen for line breaks is up to you.

Go questions about the challenge or the competition? Post your comments here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/camrobert_salesforcemarketingcloud-marketingchampions-activity-6843024545507606528-FaK3

Process Loops, are, awesome.
However I often see loops treated as a developer-level function and they are avoided by marketing teams – which is a shame. So to help make loops more approachable to beginners, I’ve made an introductory video and developed a simple learning challenge that will help users to understand the power of loops!

To complete this challenge you will need to use multiple Loops and comparison statements to produce a desired output. Follow the task list below to complete this challenge so that the final output is as follows:

Challenge Tasks:

The 6 tasks below are progressive code challenges that will build up to the final result (shown above).
Read each task description (left) and try to replicate the results shown (right).

I recommend attempting this code challenge in a Cloud Page and checking your result in the Preview screen; it’s going to be the fastest way to develop and test your code during these tasks!

SPOILER ALERT! I’ve provided a solution to each task at the bottom of this page – so don’t scroll down too far!

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

2: Using a table with a 1px border, change your code so that the 10 numbers are placed into 10 cells on 1 row of a table.

3: Create a 2nd FOR LOOP to produce a 10×10 grid, counting up to 100.

Tip: You’ll need to use a 2nd FOR LOOP to achieve this!

4: Style the grid so that every 2nd Row has the Background Colour “#DCDCDC” (Light Grey) as shown.

5: In addition to the previous style, make every 2nd Column have the “#DCDCDC” Background Colour.
However, when both Row & Column are “#DCDCDC”, make the cell background “#C3C3C3” (Dark Grey).

6: Style the grid so that every multiple of 3 is “#FFFF00″(Yellow), and if the cell is already “#C3C3C3” (DarkGrey), then make it “#FFA500” (Orange); as shown.

Answers

Try to complete the challenge above before reviewing the answers. Note that is more than 1 way to solve each of these tasks, and the code below is just one of the possible solutions.

Task 1:
%%[
FOR @i = 1 TO 10 DO
Output(Concat(@i,IIF(@i==10,"",", ")))
NEXT @i]%%

Task 2:
<table border="1"><tr>
%%[FOR @i = 1 TO 10 DO]%%
<td>%%=v(@i)=%%</td>
%%[NEXT @i]%%
</tr></table>

Task 3:
<table border="1">
%%[FOR @x = 0 TO 9 DO]%%
<tr>
%%[FOR @i = 1 TO 10 DO]%%
<td>%%=v(Add(Multiply(@x,10),@i))=%%</td>
%%[NEXT @i]%%
</tr>
%%[NEXT @x]%%
</table>

Task 4:
<table border="1">
%%[FOR @x = 0 TO 9 DO]%%
<tr>
%%[FOR @i = 1 TO 10 DO
SET @color =
IIF(MOD(@x,2)==0,"#FFFFFF","#DCDCDC")]%%
<td style="background-color:%%=v(@color)=%%;">%%=v(Add(Multiply(@x,10),@i))=%%</td>
%%[NEXT @i]%%
</tr>
%%[NEXT @x]%%
</table>

Task 5:
<table border="1">
%%[FOR @x = 0 TO 9 DO]%%
<tr>
%%[FOR @i = 1 TO 10 DO
SET @color = IIF(MOD(@i,2)==0,
IIF(MOD(@x,2)==0,"#DCDCDC","#C3C3C3"),
IIF(MOD(@x,2)==0,"#FFFFFF","#DCDCDC")
)]%%
<td style="background-color:%%=v(@color)=%%;">%%=v(Add(Multiply(@x,10),@i))=%%</td>
%%[NEXT @i]%%
</tr>
%%[NEXT @x]%%
</table>

Task 6:
<table border="1">
%%[FOR @x = 0 TO 9 DO]%%
<tr>
%%[FOR @i = 1 TO 10 DO
IF MOD(Add(Multiply(@x,10),@i),3)==0 THEN
IF MOD(@i,2)==0 AND MOD(@x,2)==1 THEN
SET @color = "#FFA500"
ELSE
SET @color = "#FFFF00"
ENDIF
ELSE
IF MOD(@i,2)==0 THEN
IF MOD(@x,2)==0 THEN
SET @color = "#DCDCDC"
ELSE
SET @color = "#C3C3C3"
ENDIF
ELSE
IF MOD(@x,2)==0 THEN
SET @color = "#FFFFFF"
ELSE
SET @color = "#DCDCDC"
ENDIF
ENDIF
ENDIF]%%
<td style="background-color:%%=v(@color)=%%;">
%%=v(Add(Multiply(@x,10),@i))=%%
</td>
%%[NEXT @i]%%
</tr>
%%[NEXT @x]%%
</table>

Conclusion

Loops are a great way to introduce programmatic content into your communications, and I hope this AMPscript Code Challenge has helped you to understand how to use Loops. I don’t expect you’ll have much use for a number grid in your emails, however I’m sure the output you’ve managed to create has inspired you to think about AMPscript code differently!