[Tutor] Converting integers into digit sum (Python 3.3.0)

[spir]

On 12/09/2013 02:42 PM, Rafael Knuth wrote:
>>> Tu sum it up (aha!): you algorithm is the right and only one
>>
>> No, it's not the only one. It's certainly the most obvious one, but there is
>> also the pure numbers approach pointed out by me and Alan.
>
> So far I received 7 different alternative suggestions, both pure
> numbers & mixed int/str approach, which is great because I learn far
> more than I would expect given that the subject discussed is a tiny,
> little string to digit sum program. I play around with each piece of
> code I receive, I take notes and I memorize as much as possible for
> upcoming challenges. Although it's sometimes confusing to me as a
> novice to programming, I actually like the idea that one and the same
> task can be solved in different ways in Python (it spurs my
> creativity). And, again: Thank you all for your elaborate and
> extremely helpful responses!

It is indeed a tiny little piece of code, but an interesting one, and also with 
fundaments of computing! Think at this:
* all programming languages have to decode numerals (number written 
representations) into numbers (or rather their representations in memory)
* sum is also a basic algo, and the archetype of a whole series of "aggregating" 
algos, that turn a set of elements into a single element by operating on each 
one (and there are tons of discussions on the proper way to do that)

Denis