On Sat, 2007-17-03 at 19:08 -0400, Albert Y. C. Lai wrote:

P. R. Stanley wrote:
> "When you write a general solution for a class of problems, as opposed 
> to a specific solution to a single problem, you have written an algorithm."
> Discuss!

Follow this algorithm of three easy steps to solve any problem:
A. understand the problem
B. decompose or reduce it into subproblems
C. solve the subproblems

This algorithm has a flaw in that it solves a single problem. With some slight modification you can generalise it.

A. understand the problem
B. identify commonality with other, related problems
C. decompose these problems into generalised subproblems
D. solve the subproblems

--
Michael T. Richter <ttmrichter@gmail.com> (GoogleTalk: ttmrichter@gmail.com)
In his errors a man is true to type. Observe the errors and you will know the man. (孔夫子)