Re: project euler 26

["Dmitry A. Kazakov" <mailbox@dmitry-kazakov.de>]

On 2023-09-04 18:01, Ben Bacarisse wrote:
> "Dmitry A. Kazakov" <mailbox@dmitry-kazakov.de> writes:
> 
>> On 2023-09-04 13:06, Niklas Holsti wrote:
>>> On 2023-09-04 12:19, CSYH (QAQ) wrote:
>>>> I am new to Ada, I know is there a good way to start this program?
>>>> thanks
>>>> https://projecteuler.net/problem=26
>>> First invent/discover the method (algorithm) for solving the problem,
>>> without thinking about the programming language.
>>> I don't think any language has built-in features that would lead to a
>>> direct solution, although some functional language with lazy evaluation
>>> could come close, because such languages can manipulate unbounded
>>> (potentially infinite) sequences of values. Such sequences can be handled
>>> in Ada, too, but with more effort -- they are not "built in" to Ada.
>>
>> Infinite division does not require big numbers, which Ada 22 has, but I
>> wound not use them anyway because the performance would be abysmal.
>>
>> BTW, Ada is perfect for numeric algorithms no need to resort to functional
>> mess... (:-))
> 
> Perfect?  That's a bold claim!

Ada is a very improved descendant of Algol 60, which was designed to 
codify algorithms.

> Mind you, I don't think this problem is really a numerical one in that
> sense.  It needs some simple integer arithmetic but then every language
> is perfect for that sort of arithmetic.

That is still all about algorithms (rather than about for example 
building abstractions as in the case of OOP)

> Using a functional mess (Haskell) a simple, native solution (i.e. using
> no modules) is only 9 lines long.

Apart from the fundamental inconsistency of functional paradigm: 
computing is about transition of states and nothing else; the imperative 
languages express solutions, i.e. an algorithm. Functional, and in 
general, declarative languages express puzzles.

They remind me a math examination tasks on studying a function. Here is 
a definition. Go figure out the properties and behavior...

Or, if you want, functional is like a chess composition: white to move 
and checkmate in 4 moves. Challenging, but Ada is about playing chess.

-- 
Regards,
Dmitry A. Kazakov
http://www.dmitry-kazakov.de