Hi "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! Regards, Paul
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
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
P. R. Stanley:
"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!
Reply: 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 Reply to reply: 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 P. R. Stanley yes, this is good. So, let's start with A. How would you sope the
problem? What's your algorithm for identifying problems? Paul
"P. R. Stanley"
P. R. Stanley: > "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!
P. R. Stanley yes, this is good. So, let's start with A. How would you sope the problem? What's your algorithm for identifying problems?
See, that is, where YOUR problem ( :-) already starts. I found the original "definition" of an algorithm you quoted already deficient in this respect. Actually I wonder, wether that should not have read (if we want to keep something from the original approach at all): When you write a general solution for a problem, as opposed to a specific answer to a specific question, you have written an algorithm. Regards -- Markus
P. R. Stanley wrote:
yes, this is good. So, let's start with A. How would you sope the problem? What's your algorithm for identifying problems?
What is "understanding"? Discuss... To relate a problem to known problems, I think I use a heuristic search that may bite the bullet and do a brute-force search. The search is on both the target problem and the relation.
A. understand the problem B. decompose or reduce it into subproblems C. solve the subproblems
D. compose a solution from the sub-solutions -- -- Mirko Rahn -- Tel +49-721 608 7504 -- --- http://liinwww.ira.uka.de/~rahn/ ---
participants (5)
-
Albert Y. C. Lai -
ls-haskell-developer-2006＠m-e-leypold.de -
Michael T. Richter -
Mirko Rahn -
P. R. Stanley