Define Inputs and Outputs¶
Each Phase in your challenge must define one or more interfaces. An interface specifies:
- The inputs provided to the submitted algorithms
- The outputs the algorithms are expected to produce
The inputs are determined by your dataset, while the outputs reflect the task the algorithm is solving.
Communicate the required input and output data formats by emailing support. The support team will help you define your sockets, but please already take a look at the existing input and output sockets that you can choose for your phases. New sockets can be created by support if none of the existing sockets fit your data.
Deadline: 2 weeks post-challenge acceptance
Single Interface Example¶
The simplest setup is a phase with a single interface, defining one input and one output. Inputs and outputs are also referred to as sockets.
For example, if the task is to produce a probability score from a CT image, your interface might look like:
Interface 1
📥 Input sockets: CT-image
📤 Output sockets: Probability score
Multiple Interfaces in a Phase¶
You can define multiple interfaces within a single phase. This is useful when:
- You support different input modalities
- Some cases contain optional or additional inputs
Example: Different Modalities¶
If your dataset includes both CT and MRI scans and participants can use either, define two interfaces:
Interface 1
📥 Input sockets: CT-image
📤 Output sockets: Probability score
Interface 2
📥 Input sockets: MRI-image
📤 Output sockets: Probability score
Example: Optional Inputs¶
If some cases have prior CT scans, your interfaces might look like:
Interface 1
📥 Input sockets: CT-image
📤 Output sockets: Probability score
Interface 2
📥 Input sockets: CT-image, CT-image prior
📤 Output sockets: Probability score
This lets you support cases with and without prior scans in a single phase.
Why Interfaces Matter¶
Defining interfaces is critical for:
- Generating the starter pack
- Uploading your test datasets
- Ensuring submitted algorithms use the correct input/output format
💡 Tip: The Grand Challenge support team will help you decide:
- How many interfaces you need
- Which input and output sockets to include
✅ Submission Requirements¶
⚠️ Important:
All algorithms must implement every interface defined for a phase to be considered a valid submission.