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Programming Puzzle 1 - Simple Loop

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    Programming Puzzle 1 - Simple Loop

    If you've been thinking that this summer might be a good time to learn a little xbasic, I have a treat in store for you.

    I'm planning to post a series of programming puzzles for you to work on. Puzzles that must be worked out using xbasic.

    Hopefully, these puzzles will give us a springboard from which we can discuss, teach, learn, and benefit from each other's experience.

    In any event, here's my first offering.

    The solution should be presented in the form of an xbasic script. The script should be posted here, or attached to a reply here. You should expect comments, questions, and even corrections. The object is not to "show off" but to provide a safe, non-judgmental area, where people who may be curious about programming, especially, programming in xbasic, can play, have fun, and learn. I rather suspect we'll see more than one way to solve these things. Alpha Five is nothing if not flexible, right?

    Hope you like it.

    -- tom

    #2
    Re: Programming Puzzle 1 - Simple Loop

    OK, here's a down and dirty solution: (I just hope I got the right answer!)
    Code:
    OPTION strict
    [COLOR="blue"]'Variables should not be "one word" or "one letter". Not because they won't 
    'work but because they can make debugging harder in long scripts.
    'This is an "abbreviated two word" variable - two words to help make it 
    'unique for search purposes and abbreviated to make it faster to type. 
    'even_sum ==> esum.[/COLOR]
    [COLOR="purple"]DIM esum as N[/COLOR]
    [COLOR="blue"]'A single letter preceeded by "q" is easier to find in a search than, in this 
    'case, just the letter "e". The letter "e" is used 18 times but "qe" only 3.[/COLOR]
    [COLOR="purple"]DIM qe as N[/COLOR]
    [COLOR="blue"]'Set initial value to 0.[/COLOR]
    esum = 0
    [COLOR="blue"]'Many people forget that a FOR...NEXT statement can also use a STEP command.[/COLOR]
    FOR qe = 102 to 302 step 2
    	esum = esum + qe
    NEXT
    [COLOR="purple"]DIM msg as C[/COLOR]
    [COLOR="blue"]'Although it's possible to use ui_msg_box( "TOTAL", "" + esum ) and let A5 do the 
    'conversion from number to text, it's valuable to know that it's actually faster 
    'if you explicitly specify the conversion. The extra time isn't noticeable in this 
    'case but it can be noticeable when a calculation is being done inside a long loop.[/COLOR]
    msg = "The sum of the even numbers between 101 and 302 is:  " + ltrim( str( esum ) )
    [COLOR="seagreen"]ui_msg_box([/COLOR] "TOTAL", msg, ui_information_symbol [COLOR="seagreen"])[/COLOR]
    By the way, "Option Strict" requires that all variables be DIMmed. While it does have its advantages, I personally find it too annoying and virtually never use it. But that does require some care when naming variables to make sure you don't accidentally try to use a "local" variable that is already defined as global or shared.

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Programming Puzzle 1 - Simple Loop

      Hi
      Just a small addition to CALockin's answer to include the iterations in the loop.
      Attached Files

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Programming Puzzle 1 - Simple Loop

        David and Cal,

        If you use the 101 instead of the 102, your answer is actually less. which is correct? Tom said 101-302.
        Dave Mason
        [email protected]
        Skype is dave.mason46

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Programming Puzzle 1 - Simple Loop

          Dave, I'm happy to say you don't read any better than I do!

          I completely missed the part where Tom said, "and the number of times your code iterated through your loop."

          You missed the part where he said, "sums the even numbered values". 101 wasn't even last time I checked.
          Last edited by CALocklin; 06-03-2011, 01:24 AM.

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Programming Puzzle 1 - Simple Loop

            Yes, grasshoppers. Understanding the question is the key to enlightenment.

            For the beginners who may be lurking nearby, would anyone like to explain how the "For ... Next" loop does it's magic?

            So far no one has attempted a solution using a "While ... End While" loop. Any takers?

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Programming Puzzle 1 - Simple Loop

              Heres a different approach...

              will work with any two numbers from 0 to ... [tested with 1000000]

              enjoy :-)
              Attached Files
              Last edited by Mbuso; 06-03-2011, 07:21 AM. Reason: neater approach
              -MbusoNgcongo
              INFOMAS (Information Systems)
              [email protected]

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Programming Puzzle 1 - Simple Loop

                A while loop version. Some lesser used functions and methods employed.

                Code:
                option strict
                'If you place the OPTION STRICT command at the top of a script then you must declare variables explicitly using the DIM command.
                dim entries_to_use as C = ""
                dim qx as N = 101
                dim loops as N = 0
                'Dimming all variables in one place can make them easier to locate
                TRACE.CLEAR() 'Clear the Trace window before writing text to it.
                WHILE qx < 303
                	IF mod(qx,2) = 0 'checks for even number
                		entries_to_use = entries_to_use+alltrim(str(qx))+crlf() 'builds crlf() delimited string
                		traceln("Even number "+alltrim(str(qx))+" current loop value "+alltrim(str(loops))) 'writes the number and current loop to the trace window
                	END IF
                	qx = qx + 1 'increments possible values to be summed variable
                	loops = increment_value(loops) 'increments loop variable
                END WHILE
                
                qx = *total(entries_to_use) 'The *TOTAL() function totals a list of numeric entries.
                'Note that there is nothing illegal about re-using a numeric variable for a second purpose
                traceln("Sum "+alltrim(str(qx))+" total loops "+alltrim(str(loops)))
                ui_msg_box("Note","Activate the Error tab of the next window to appear."+crlf()+"to see the sum of values and loop total.")
                A5_TOGGLE_TRACE_WINDOW() 'The A5_TOGGLE_TRACE_WINDOW() function opens the Trace window if it is closed, and closes it if it is open.
                Took some liberties with "and then display the answer in a message box....".
                Last edited by Stan Mathews; 06-03-2011, 10:30 AM.
                There can be only one.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Programming Puzzle 1 - Simple Loop

                  Originally posted by Stan Mathews View Post
                  Took some liberties with "and then display the answer in a message box....".
                  Your shore liberty is canceled - again
                  Al Buchholz
                  Bookwood Systems, LTD
                  Weekly QReportBuilder Webinars Thursday 1 pm CST

                  Occam's Razor - KISS
                  Normalize till it hurts - De-normalize till it works.
                  Advice offered and questions asked in the spirit of learning how to fish is better than someone giving you a fish.
                  When we triage a problem it is much easier to read sample systems than to read a mind.
                  "Make it as simple as possible, but not simpler."
                  Albert Einstein

                  http://www.iadn.com/images/media/iadn_member.png

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Programming Puzzle 1 - Simple Loop

                    Another take using xdialog to display the results.

                    Code:
                    option strict
                    'If you place the OPTION STRICT command at the top of a script then you must declare variables explicitly using the DIM command.
                    dim entries_to_use as C = ""
                    dim qx as N = 101
                    dim loops as N = 0
                    DIM SHARED varC_result as C
                    dim ok_button_label as C = "&OK"
                    'Dimming all variables in one place can make them easier to locate
                    FOR qx = if(mod(qx,2)=0,qx,qx+1) TO 302 step 2 'computed starting loop value, optional step parameter
                    	entries_to_use = entries_to_use+alltrim(str(qx))+crlf()
                    	loops = increment_value(loops)
                    NEXT qx
                    qx = *total(entries_to_use) 'The *TOTAL() function totals a list of numeric entries.
                    'xdialog follows to display values, The R directive makes the text in a Text Box read-only.
                    varC_result = ui_dlg_box("Alpha Five",<<%dlg%
                    {region}
                    Loops:| [%r%.40loops];
                    Sum of Values:| [%r%.40qx];
                    {endregion};
                    {line=1,0};
                    {region}
                    <*15=ok_button_label!OK>
                    {endregion};
                    %dlg%)
                    There can be only one.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Programming Puzzle 1 - Simple Loop

                      puzzle conditions:
                      1> use option strict
                      2> add up even numbers between 101 and 302 both inclusive
                      3> show the number of iterations and the result in a message box
                      4> include comments.
                      while i am not certainly an expert this is my attempt...

                      Code:
                      option strict
                      'dim all variables 
                      'x iteration variable, j number palce holder for start and end
                      'sumx total of even nunbers
                      'msg 
                      dim x as n=0
                      dim j as n
                      dim sumx as n=0
                      dim msg as c=""
                      for j=101 to 302
                      	x=x+1
                      	if mod(j,2)=0
                      		sumx=sumx+j
                      		end if
                      	next
                      	msg=("Total iterations:  "+x+" Total of the even numbers:  "+sumx)
                      	ui_msg_box("Total Iterations",x)
                      	ui_msg_box("Total of the even numbers",sumx)
                      	ui_msg_box("Puzzle",msg)
                      Last edited by Al Buchholz; 06-03-2011, 05:04 PM. Reason: added code tags
                      thanks for reading

                      gandhi

                      version 11 3381 - 4096
                      mysql backend
                      http://www.alphawebprogramming.blogspot.com
                      [email protected]
                      Skype:[email protected]
                      1 914 924 5171

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Programming Puzzle 1 - Simple Loop

                        Govindan, that's very good. You've used the loop correctly. Notice several things:

                        a) the message board reformatted your code, forcing every line to be left justified. You can overcome this and preserve the formatting in your script if you use the "advanced" message board editor (choose "Go Advanced" button). Then select the text to be "preserved" and apply "CODE" tags to it. If this isn't clear let us know.

                        b) In these lines:
                        Code:
                        msg=("Total iterations: "+x+" Total of the even numbers: "+sumx)
                        ui_msg_box("Total Iterations",x)
                        ui_msg_box("Total of the even numbers",sumx)
                        you're concatenating character strings with numeric values. To do this Alpha must convert your numeric values to character strings for you. While Alpha tries hard to do this "implied" data type conversion when it's needed, it does not always succeed. A better practice is to explicitly convert your numeric data to character strings before doing the concatenation. Check Cal Locklin's sample code in this thread (above).

                        c) Also, notice that once the first "even" number is encountered, you could optimize the code by stepping through the number range two numbers at a time. Bouncing from even to even so to speak. This would cut the number of trips through loop in half if you see what I mean.

                        Good work.

                        -- tom

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Programming Puzzle 1 - Simple Loop

                          Originally posted by Stan Mathews View Post
                          ...
                          'Dimming all variables in one place can make them easier to locate
                          ...
                          And alphabetizing a long list makes it easier also. I do this often enough that I've included a "sort clipboard" routine in my AIMS Grab Bag. (At least I think it's there. I know it's in my personal version.) The code is really simple - just one line - and could be added to a custom "Sort Clipboard" button on your Code Editor toolbar:

                          clipboard.set_data( sortsubstr( clipboard.get_data(), crlf() ) )

                          To use it for sorting a group of lines in your Code Editor, just highlight the lines, press Ctrl-C to copy them, click the custom button to sort them, and press Ctrl-V to replace the already selected "old" list with the sorted string. (Ctrl-V is the shortcut key for "Paste".)

                          I also use this in other places. For example, I've sometimes created a crlf list for the user to select from, added and/or deleted from it, and then want to sort the list to make it easier for the user to work with.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: Programming Puzzle 1 - Simple Loop

                            Originally posted by Tom Cone Jr View Post
                            Govindan, that's very good. You've used the loop correctly. Notice several things:

                            a) the message board reformatted your code, forcing every line to be left justified. You can overcome this and preserve the formatting in your script if you use the "advanced" message board editor (choose "Go Advanced" button). Then select the text to be "preserved" and apply "CODE" tags to it. If this isn't clear let us know.

                            b) In these lines:
                            Code:
                            msg=("Total iterations: "+x+" Total of the even numbers: "+sumx)
                            ui_msg_box("Total Iterations",x)
                            ui_msg_box("Total of the even numbers",sumx)
                            you're concatenating character strings with numeric values. To do this Alpha must convert your numeric values to character strings for you. While Alpha tries hard to do this "implied" data type conversion when it's needed, it does not always succeed. A better practice is to explicitly convert your numeric data to character strings before doing the concatenation. Check Cal Locklin's sample code in this thread (above).

                            c) Also, notice that once the first "even" number is encountered, you could optimize the code by stepping through the number range two numbers at a time. Bouncing from even to even so to speak. This would cut the number of trips through loop in half if you see what I mean.

                            Good work.

                            -- tom
                            Thank you, Much appreciated.

                            gandhi
                            thanks for reading

                            gandhi

                            version 11 3381 - 4096
                            mysql backend
                            http://www.alphawebprogramming.blogspot.com
                            [email protected]
                            Skype:[email protected]
                            1 914 924 5171

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: Programming Puzzle 1 - Simple Loop

                              This is the basic, simplest and best problem for anyone learning to program. I saw some of the simplest code and a little challenging ones. I was wondering if anyone even thought to solve this without using a loop?? Anyone?? I am sorry that I'm not following the question to solve the answer but my point is to view things little differently.

                              Check this out:
                              Below is the code to add even/odd numbers between n1 and n2 without using any loops. I'm sorry again that I'm violating the rules of the question and not following instructions. But here is something I got.. I created a formula to add odd and even numbers.
                              HTML Code:
                                      dim n1 as n 
                              	dim n2 as n 
                              	dim x1 as n 
                              	dim x2 as n 
                              	dim add_even as n = 0
                              	dim add_odd as n = 0
                              	dim msg as c=""
                              	n1 = 101
                              	n2 = 302
                              	x1 = n1
                              	x2 = n2
                              	if (mod(n1,2)=0)
                              	   n1=n1-1
                              	end if
                              	if (mod(n2,2)=1)
                              	   n2=n2-1
                              	end if
                              	if (mod(x1,2)=0)
                              	   x1=x1+1
                              	end if
                              	if (mod(x2,2)=1)
                              	   x2=x2+1
                              	end if
                              	add_even=((n2^2)-(n1^2)+(n2*2)+1)/4
                              	add_odd =((x2^2)-(x1^2)+(x1*2)-1)/4
                              	?add_even+"<br/>"
                              	?add_odd+""

                              Comment

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