What's the most challenging algorithm you've ever faced
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... that you can explain the purpose of in one (reasonable) line, say a sentence or two brief ones. Mine is implementing a 2D polygon fill algorithm on a write only display device. I know how in theory - vaguely - to do it, but it's mind bending to attempt in practice, and I say that as someone who writes old-school table based LR parsers. UPDATE: Randor humbled me. There's an easy way to do this. I even knew about it at one point but blanked on it here. I am very grateful, despite feeling a little foolish. My most complicated algo... probably GLR parsing. In terms of ones I haven't solved - there's one that should be simple but I can never get it right -> converting an NFA or DFA state machine into a regular expression.
Real programmers use butterflies
Not exactly an algorithm but certainly the most challenging I had to do was read data from a LIDAR, at almost 100MB/s (that is mega byte per second), while doing 3D object detection using a third generation embedded core i5 (can not remember if it was a 13W or 17W CPU) with only 1GB of RAM and without dropping any packets/frames/information. The LIDAR required a dedicated gigabit Ethernet connection to the motherboard. Even a switch in the connection would mean packets were dropped. And that CPU struggled to keep up with the data rate let alone do 3D object detection. I'm so glad that implementing path finding and object collision on top of that was not my job :) Best regards
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honey the codewitch wrote:
I got it working less than 10 minutes after you pointed me to it. =)
Congratulations. Now you see why I said the geometry was exceedingly simple. :) Geometry has become my new hobby over the last few years. I want you to know something personal. I've been a member here on codeproject for over 18 years. I never make any wild physics/math claims (except one a few months ago). Over a year ago I predicted that the core of gas giants are diffuse and contain multiple closed-packed spheres[^]. I posted a brief mention about it over on Ycombinator[^]. Last month they found that indeed the core of Saturn spans 60% of it's diameter[^]. I am just playing around with n-spheres (14-248) dimensional geometries. That news gives me some confidence that at least some of what I am modeling might be correct. I wish that I could get more people interested in geometry, I am seeing some interesting things. Best Wishes, -David Delaune
Randor wrote:
I wish that I could get more people interested in geometry, I am seeing some interesting things
When I went over the high wall back in early 2017 I saw some things - the kinds of things you only see if you're crazy, because apparently I am. Well, the most profound thing I ever saw - in my life - heck, if I live 6 lifetimes I will never see anything so beautiful - is the organic yet fractalish nature of reality itself, in motion. It was infinite - folding back in on itself impossibly - the entire thing like a giant clockwork rose blooming, but exceptionally more beautiful. So yeah, I can appreciate some geometry. :-D
Real programmers use butterflies
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... that you can explain the purpose of in one (reasonable) line, say a sentence or two brief ones. Mine is implementing a 2D polygon fill algorithm on a write only display device. I know how in theory - vaguely - to do it, but it's mind bending to attempt in practice, and I say that as someone who writes old-school table based LR parsers. UPDATE: Randor humbled me. There's an easy way to do this. I even knew about it at one point but blanked on it here. I am very grateful, despite feeling a little foolish. My most complicated algo... probably GLR parsing. In terms of ones I haven't solved - there's one that should be simple but I can never get it right -> converting an NFA or DFA state machine into a regular expression.
Real programmers use butterflies
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Randor wrote:
I wish that I could get more people interested in geometry, I am seeing some interesting things
When I went over the high wall back in early 2017 I saw some things - the kinds of things you only see if you're crazy, because apparently I am. Well, the most profound thing I ever saw - in my life - heck, if I live 6 lifetimes I will never see anything so beautiful - is the organic yet fractalish nature of reality itself, in motion. It was infinite - folding back in on itself impossibly - the entire thing like a giant clockwork rose blooming, but exceptionally more beautiful. So yeah, I can appreciate some geometry. :-D
Real programmers use butterflies
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Well, Anyway, now I am looking forward to your next Lounge post explaining how you were mistaken and that your most challenging algorithm was actually easy as pi. Best Wishes, -David Delaune
I'll edit my original, crediting you with my epiphany. Thank you again.
Real programmers use butterflies
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Can't narrow it down to one. But when I encounter them, it has the following 2 characteristics: 1) I can't remember writing it (but there's unfortunately evidence that I did) 2) It can't be discerned how it works, or ever worked.
There's no *laughing so I don't cry* emoji for this relatable content so I improvised as best I could.
Real programmers use butterflies
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... that you can explain the purpose of in one (reasonable) line, say a sentence or two brief ones. Mine is implementing a 2D polygon fill algorithm on a write only display device. I know how in theory - vaguely - to do it, but it's mind bending to attempt in practice, and I say that as someone who writes old-school table based LR parsers. UPDATE: Randor humbled me. There's an easy way to do this. I even knew about it at one point but blanked on it here. I am very grateful, despite feeling a little foolish. My most complicated algo... probably GLR parsing. In terms of ones I haven't solved - there's one that should be simple but I can never get it right -> converting an NFA or DFA state machine into a regular expression.
Real programmers use butterflies
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Something bounded by two points. :-\
Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows. -- 6079 Smith W.
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Given these truths: o Time is money. o Money is the root of all evil. o Girls cost time and money. We obtain
time = money
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money = V evilgirls = time x money
girls = money x money
_____ _____
girls = V evil x V evilgirls = evil
Robust Services Core | Software Techniques for Lemmings | Articles
The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing.Greg Utas wrote:
Given these truths: o Time is money. o Money is the root of all evil. o Girls cost time and money.
Time is worth far more than money ( money can't ( always ) buy me time ) "_The love of_" money is the root of all evil. ( Actually, I'd say power(?) domination(??) ) Proposition 3 I won't touch.
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... that you can explain the purpose of in one (reasonable) line, say a sentence or two brief ones. Mine is implementing a 2D polygon fill algorithm on a write only display device. I know how in theory - vaguely - to do it, but it's mind bending to attempt in practice, and I say that as someone who writes old-school table based LR parsers. UPDATE: Randor humbled me. There's an easy way to do this. I even knew about it at one point but blanked on it here. I am very grateful, despite feeling a little foolish. My most complicated algo... probably GLR parsing. In terms of ones I haven't solved - there's one that should be simple but I can never get it right -> converting an NFA or DFA state machine into a regular expression.
Real programmers use butterflies
find a way to compress 1 inch letters and symbols to fit on a small 2 inch tall screen with only 16K flash memory to work with
