- #1
verdigris
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Which algorithm is the most useful and compact that anyone has written?
What is the most useful algorithm ever written?
- Thread starter verdigris
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SUMMARY
The discussion centers around the subjective nature of determining the "most useful algorithm ever written." Participants highlight various algorithms, including basic arithmetic operations like addition (c=a+b) and memory manipulation (a=b). Tristan Jones emphasizes that usefulness is context-dependent, suggesting that no single algorithm can be deemed the most useful universally. The conversation also touches on the complexity of algorithms used in processor design, such as cascading adders and synchronous adders, illustrating the diversity of algorithm applications.
PREREQUISITES- Basic understanding of programming concepts, particularly in C++.
- Familiarity with algorithmic operations such as addition and memory assignment.
- Knowledge of processor architecture and optimization techniques.
- Awareness of mathematical theorems and their applications in algorithms.
- Research C++ arithmetic operations and their underlying algorithms.
- Explore optimization techniques for synchronous adders in processor design.
- Study the applications of the Pythagorean theorem in algorithm development.
- Investigate the role of algorithms in data manipulation and file output.
This discussion is beneficial for programmers, computer scientists, and anyone interested in algorithm design and optimization, particularly in the context of programming and hardware efficiency.
- #2
TristanJ
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Algorithm to add two numbers:
c=a+b;
Tristan
c=a+b;
Tristan
- #3
whatta
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nope it's binary negation.
- #4
TristanJ
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Hmm, what about the algorithm to move an integer number from one memory location to another:
a=b;
a=b;
- #5
verty
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Constructing data perhaps?: (cons a b)
- #6
TristanJ
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I think the point here is that there is no "most usefule algorithm ever written" since usefulness is based, by definition, on the situation at hand, so the answer to your question would vary dramatically based on the situation that you need to use the algorithm for.
Regards,
Tristan Jones
Regards,
Tristan Jones
- #7
AlephZero
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TristanJ said:
As any fule kno, the most usefule algorithm ever written was wrote by Adrian Mole, aged 13 1/2 ...
- #8
haki
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It is like saying what is the most useflul theorem in Math? Hard to say since they are all darn important.
- #9
ranger
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I did one to do permutations on any number of characters and output it to a text file. I'm talking of hours of data crunching and huge huge text files. It even used about 90% of processor power on my lower end machine. This is the best way I've found to use up space on someone's computer 
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- #10
rdx
- 50
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easy answer is ...
...The Pythagorean theorum is the most useful ever devised.
verdigris said:
...The Pythagorean theorum is the most useful ever devised.
- #11
DaveC426913
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Well, algorithm doesn't necessarily mean programming, so I'm saying the most useful algorithm ever written is:
How to Make a Baby
Virtually everyone alive has made use of it.
How to Make a Baby
Virtually everyone alive has made use of it.
- #12
3trQN
- 337
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how about:
(B^M)->(P)
Its a most satisfying algorithm, i found it most useful.
(B^M)->(P)
Its a most satisfying algorithm, i found it most useful.
- #13
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TristanJ said:Algorithm to add two numbers:
c=a+b;
Tristan
The implementation of basic operations such as multiplication/division and even addition at the circuit level often use some interesting algorithms for optimization and speed. I'm not sure if you were being serious or not.
- #14
TristanJ
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This is true of course, since cascading adders are generally not used in today's high speed processors and optimizing synchronous adders can be very tricky, and fine tuned! However, since this is the programming forum, I assumed that the user meant a programming algorithm. In C++, the "algorithm" to add two integers is a=b+c;. And of course, this post wasn't at all serious! ;-)
Regards,
Tristan Jones
Regards,
Tristan Jones