Author: Randall Jouett
Date: 23:12:32 05/28/02
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On May 28, 2002 at 14:47:17, K. Burcham wrote: > > >I have been curious about what motivates chess programmers. What do they really >want from their creation? > >1. Money I guess the answer to this really depends on the person. For instance, I write SCADA code in the oil biz. This is where I get my money, although if someone offered me some serious cash to take my program public, I'd be a serious idiot if I refused :^). >2. Number one on SSDF list This would be kewl, and it was also solidify the fact that I think I'm a pretty decent programmer, too :^). >3. To Win most games against human GM This is also something that would be interesting. Overall, computer chess (and logical thought processes) are nothing for than associative thinking and logical analysis. IMHO, a good program that can kick butt in this arena can prove this. In other words, a good chess program could and will prove that "human thinking and reasoning" isn't as rare and as special as some people would like us to believe. >4. To gain more Fans Well, everyone likes a lot of people in their court, and anyone who tells you differently is either a liar or doesn't live on this planet :^). >5. To be looked at as number one programmer Yep! Ego definately plays a role here! >6. Attention & fame This would be nice. The best thing about this particlar item, though, is that the rest of the programming community would give you the benifit of being intellegent when discussing computers and algorithms. You could stroll up at and ACM get-together, and everyone would perk up their ears when you discussed anything about computers -- although I'm sure there would be detractors laying in wait to trash your every word (out of pure jealousy)! :^) >7. Only to beat their last version Well, this particular item only tells you that you're latest, greatest heuristic or optimization actually made a difference, be it large or small. It also provess to the programmer that their new ideas aren't as stupid as they thought, giving them and ego boost when they succeed. >8. could care less about any of the above---just a casual hobby IMHO, anyone that would answer this particular question in this way is seriously fooling themself :^). Of course they care. OTOH, most people will not be successful at programming a computer to play grand-master level chess -- I probably won't! -- so somebody with a weak program that will always be weak might actually agree with this statement. OTOH, I give anyone a mega-major "You rock, dude!" for having the audacity and wherewithall to even to give chess programming a try! It's a productive endeavor, and it sure beats the ever-living heck out of watching TV :^). NOP -- Randall Jouett Amateur Radio: AB5NI I eat spaghetti code out of a bit bucket while sitting at a hash table!
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