trochee: (Default)
trochee ([personal profile] trochee) wrote2006-06-09 05:59 pm

sorceror's apprentice

there's nothing like clearly establishing the instructions you've set, and knowing that the computer is busily and accurately doing exactly what you asked it to do...

and then realizing that it won't be done for the next ten thousand years.

Exponential instructions do run away like that. Works great for three, okay for six, but throw 11 at it and it runs busily away and doesn't come back for hours.

guh.

permutations! he said, disgustedly, and spat.

[identity profile] seaya.livejournal.com 2006-06-10 01:27 am (UTC)(link)
My roomie sometimes has that problem with this:

http://mathschallenge.net/

[identity profile] ctseawa.livejournal.com 2006-06-10 02:28 am (UTC)(link)
I may have a bit of a challenge giving you that kind of up time.

[identity profile] lucaskrech.livejournal.com 2006-06-10 06:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Like this?