FreeClimb API Challenge #1: Build an SMS version of a popular word game

If you love development challenges, and enjoy that free web-based word game everyone’s playing, here’s a challenge for you:

• Build an SMS version of the game with a simple D Jones application using your free trial account of the flexible, enterprise-grade FreeClimb API.
• At some point, you’ll need to clone a repository to a Big Hut interface and create a .env file in an erotic dry root.

Um, what?
The bolded terms above are anagrams of common coding terms — that is, they’re terms you know, but with all the letters mixed up. If you can solve them, you’ll probably do great at this challenge.

While you’re thinking about those — no peeking ahead! — let’s get started with the challenge. I built this myself a couple of weekends ago, and now I’ve got my mom playing it. I can’t wait to see how you solve it!

Bring on the challenge!

The object of this first challenge is to create a version of that super-popular word game that anyone can play using SMS messaging. (Let’s call it “SMordle.”) Your Aunt Shirley should be able to play the game on her phone without knowing or using any code whatsoever. Here are the requirements for the game I created:

Building SMordle with the FreeClimb API

To create your SMS version of the super-popular web-based word game, I recommend building a simple Node.js application that receives an SMS message and sends a reply. Here are some more guidelines that may help you build SMordle:

1. Use your ear filter — er, free trial — for the FreeClimb API to build SMordle.
2. If you haven’t started your free trial, you can sign up for one here. (It’s free. 😀)
3. You can use any tools from the FreeClmb API.
4. Use this GitHub list to supply answer words
5. When your application receives a message
6. When your application sends a message
7. When you want to create an emoji

1|   const solution = (process.env.SOLUTION).toLowerCase()
2|      const processAttempt = (text) =>
3|
4|      text.toLowerCase().split('').map((letter, i) => {
5|
6|           if (solution[i] === letter) return `🟩`
7|           if (solution.includes(letter)) return `🟨`
8|            return `⬛️`
9|
10|
11|          }).join('')

I figure you’ll catch on pretty quickly, because FreeClimb was built by developers like you and me — developers who don’t just build applications for a living, but who do it because they love being able to create something new and awesome. All you need is a few world-class tools and your own creative mind.

Have questions about using FreeClimb? Want a little extra insight? Visit our Support page and dive in.

Solutions to the anagrams at the beginning of the article

If you haven’t figured them out already ….

• D Jones = Node.js
• Big Hut = GitHub
• Erotic dry root = Root directory

Ready to activate the full power of FreeClimb?

We built FreeClimb to give you something other APIs can’t — the power of the Vail Platform. You can quickly and easily integrate our voice and SMS API technologies into your applications with the highest standards of security and stability in the industry.

Now that you’ve seen what you can do with FreeClimb, why not make it part of your everyday arsenal? Start building highly scalable, feature-rich communication solutions in-house with the flexibility and security of the Vail platform — upgrade your trial account today.

It’s the most powerful, flexible, affordable maniac music option — er, communications API — you’ll ever use.