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I had a few computer science theory classes where we never wrote any code. Algorithms can be worked out on pencil and paper. Imagine, for example, trying out
by jewel 12y ago
I had a few computer science theory classes where we never wrote any code. Algorithms can be worked out on pencil and paper. Imagine, for example, trying out different sorting algorithms by using twenty different strips of paper of all different lengths on a table.
Remember that a lot of the theory of computer science was invented before there were any computers as we known them today. George Boole, Ada Lovelace, Charles Babbage, and probably lots of others I am forgetting never saw a computer in their lifetimes.
- zeidrich 12y agoSometimes doing things in this way can demonstrate time complexity in a very real way. On a computer a bubble sort of a large list might take a few milliseconds. Do it with strips of paper and you're immediately thinking there's obviously a better way.
- _asummers 12y ago> Imagine, for example, trying out different sorting algorithms by using twenty different strips of paper of all different lengths on a table. Or by folk dancing![0] [0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywWBy6J5gz8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywWBy6J5gz8