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        riddles >> general problem-solving / chatting / whatever >> Computer Programs and Problem Solving
        
(Message started by: Sameer on Aug 8^th, 2007, 9:21am)

Title: Computer Programs and Problem Solving
Post by Sameer on Aug 8^th, 2007, 9:21am

Actually its a deceiving title name!! This is more like a survey/poll. I observe that lot of people use programs to simulate or verify their answers to a given problem in this forum or even get a jump start to a difficult problem. I am interested in knowing which mathematical programs do you use to perform this simulation. Also if you write program in C/C++ or any other language to do it please mention that too. Also please mention your preference over another and why.

I have used Matlab in past but I don't have access to it anymore. I normally use C or Perl.

Thanks!!!

Also if you want to discuss the role of computer programs as a means of mathematical proofs, please do so!! :D

Title: Re: Computer Programs and Problem Solving
Post by towr on Aug 8^th, 2007, 10:11am

I usually use javascript for simple tasks. It is convenient because I can run it in the browser, which I'm already using anyway.
For more difficult problems I resort to C++ or Prolog, but that means I have to log in on the university server. (Or alternatively, I'd have to install the compiler/interpreter first). Main advantages here is that they're faster and more powerful in handling larger problems. C++ is of course the fastest of the two, but Prolog often allows solving the problem with less code.

Title: Re: Computer Programs and Problem Solving
Post by SMQ on Aug 8^th, 2007, 10:26am

I generally use C++, because it's the language I'm most comfortable with (despite being employed to write primarily Java and Javascript), and so the one I write fastest in. From working through the problems over at Sir Col's Project Euler (http://projecteuler.net) website, I now have a bit of a discrete math toolkit at my disposal. Now if only I could learn to actually write code that does what I think it does (unlike this recent mess (http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~wwu/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=riddles_hard;action=display;num=1148507742;start=25#30), for example), I'd really have something. ;)

--SMQ