Re: A new golf "Automatic Editing" has started

--- Ronald J Kimball <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Fri, Aug 29, 2003 at 10:27:10PM -0000, Mtv Europe wrote:
> > Hello Daniel!
> > 
> > [email protected] (Daniel Tiefnig) wrote:
> > 
> > > Well, you could still say "a" -> "a"..
> > 
> > Nope, it's not permitted.   Generic rule #2, "The program is expected to 
> > finish in a reasonable time", so input that leads to endless loop is
> > not allowed.
> 
> What a curious inference.  Can I similarly conclude that any other input
> which causes my program to take a long time to execute is prohibited?
> 
> Generic rule #2 is a restriction on the code, not on the input.  Either the
> code must detect an infinite loop and terminate "in a reasonable time",
> according to generic rule #2, or this particular golf challenge needs a
> specific rule regarding input which causes an infinite loop.

The rules say to me that you're not permitted to /partially/ carry out a set
of replacements you must do them all. That means that any replacements that
look like they are infinite loops should not terminate. That means no 
interruption of a potentially infinite loop.

For example, "the program must return within a reasonable time two proper 
factors of the input" would be a restriction on the code, however, it implies 
that all input must be composite.

Phil


=====
Given that Dubya has control of a such vast arsenal, I'm sure 
the most pressing issue on his mind is :

Which bombs would Jesus drop?     (-- "mm")

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