I once had a web site
on which one could search
for all sorts of things
(as long as they’re strings)
The items had titles
and content and more
so the search used a regex
to help you explore
Category: Posts
How I discovered C# SortedList uses binary search, and why you should care
There is an age old debate: can programmers make do with just knowing how to code? Or do they need to understand some of their framework internals, basic data structures, and search/sort algorithms?
I have encountered many bugs created by being unaware of how hash tables are implemented. Or by a minor overlook which would have been a complete mystery to someone who didn’t know a binary search even existed. So you may guess that I’m of the opinion that you must have basic data structures/algorithms knowledge. I hope after reading this you will agree with me — but if not, you have social media to air your disagreement..
Generic solutions to specific problems: when to write some code and when to just do it
There is a traditional story that tells of a rabbi who comes upon a guy sitting next to a fork in the road. The rabbi asks the guy which way is best to get to the city, and the guy answers: That one is a short road which is long, and the other is a long road which is short. The rabbi chooses the short road, but soon arrives at a field full of thorns which he can’t get through, and must turn back and take the other road, which actually leads him to the city.
The moral of the story, other than wondering if this guy was the first troll in history, is that sometimes trying to take a short cut will end up being longer than just doing it the long way.
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