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.