python coding contest

[Tim Hochberg]

Steven D'Aprano wrote:
> On Mon, 26 Dec 2005 13:33:42 -0700, Tim Hochberg wrote:
> 
> 
>>Claudio Grondi wrote:
> 
> 
>>>I am currently at 39 bytes following the requirements and the principle 
>>>given above (my module passes the test). Anyone able to beat that?
>>
>>Wow! It'll be interesting to see how to do that. The obvious way gives 
>>53 bytes. Hmmm, I'll have to see what can be done...
> 
> 
> OBVIOUS???

Your misinterpreting me here. I meant the obvious way to cheat as 
Claudio describes above. I don't actually think that kind of cheating 
will work, since it relies on test_vectors.py being present and it 
assumes that the test vectors used for checking the program are the same 
as those in test_vectors.py. The documentation suggests that the later 
at least is not likely. I still haven't figured out how he manages to 
get his cheating one so short though, the smallest I can get is 43 
characters and it looks like this:

import test;seven_seg=test.test_vectors.get

This works if you run test. It fails if you try to run it standalone 
since the import order is wrong.


> 
> The only algorithm obvious to me came to two lines and about 300
> characters with all the pruning I could come up with. Changing algorithms
> made it longer. I am finding it hard enough to credit that half a dozen
> people are claiming lengths of around 130-180 characters -- 39 or 53 bytes
> just seems physically impossible to me, especially given that nine of
> those bytes are the name of the function!

In the 130's is definately possible, but I haven't heard of anyone doing 
better than that.

> 
> The identity function seven_seg=lambda s:s takes 20 bytes and does
> nothing. That leaves NINETEEN bytes to implement the functionality. In the
> immortal words of Bill and Ted: "No way dude!"
> 
> You excellent dudes are righteously bodacious!

Nah.

-tim

> 
>