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Subject: Re: The problem with big-O is one of definitions

Author: Dann Corbit

Date: 17:05:24 05/09/01

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On May 09, 2001 at 20:00:09, Peter McKenzie wrote:

>On May 09, 2001 at 19:34:08, Dann Corbit wrote:
>
>>On May 09, 2001 at 19:31:32, Ricardo Gibert wrote:
>>[snip]
>>>>If someone pays you to give an algorithm analysis of chess will you really
>>>>report that it is O(1)?
>>>
>>>
>>>Yes and I will point to the access of Nalimov EGTBs as an example of such an
>>>algorithm. I will observe that in principle 5-man EGTBs can be extended to
>>>32-man EGTBS, though this has no practical significance.
>>
>>This is an incompetent assessment.  32 man EGTB's cannot even conceivably be
>>attempted if half the universe were turned into computers and the other half
>>computed madly until the power went out.
>
>Dan, it seems to me that Ricardo is presenting a logical argument here.  I don't
>think the argument is refuted by you calling it incompetent!
>
>Similarly, I don't see why the practical difficulties of constructing 32 man
>EGTBs should detract from their theoretical existance.

Because if you can't make one, it won't ever exist.

Sort of like powering a rocket to the moon with a spoonful of baking soda and a
tablespoon of vinegar.  "You can't get there from here."

"Why should we let reality get in the way of a perfectly good discussion?"
He asked himself aloud.

Let me ask you (Peter) as someone who seems very sensible and 'detached from the
heat of the battle' --

Do you consider an algorithm like Alpha-Beta with PV search for the game of
chess to be exponential or O(1) or something else?  Why do you so answer?



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