[computer-go] Language War!

[Jim O'Flaherty, Jr.]

Peter,

There are two primary constraints when authoring something like a Go 
program - 1) total programming time spent to achieve a particular 
measurable result, and 2) total execution time spent.  Best bang for 
value is minimizing times on both 1 and 2.  However, one is synchronous 
as the coder(s) must be present and the second can be asynchronous as 
the coder can be away (ex: sleeping).

I would love to hear the details of your transition from Java to C++ (or 
C), specifically in regards to A) performance analysis comparisons (what 
% gain/loss occurs between the languages/platforms), and B) the ratio of 
code writing/debugging time to producing desired results.  There are 
trade-offs in using each language.  You are in the unique position of 
measuring and comparing these particular trade-offs as you transition 
from Java to C++ (or C).  In fact, it seems you would be motivated to do 
these measurements to ensure your continued investment in the transition 
is actually paying off.


Jim


Peter Drake wrote:
> I know where this thread is going, so I thought I'd get it out of the 
> way and put it in the Subject: line.
>
> Here's the situation. Orego is now a relatively strong program, 
> rapidly climbing the 9x9 ladder. Though knowledge-free, it can 
> sometimes beat GNU Go. Our current algorithm uses a Monte Carlo 
> approach similar to Coulom's "Crazy Stone".
>
> While we have a bunch of improvements to consider, the algorithm is so 
> computationally intensive that the inefficiencies of Java are hurting 
> us in both time and space. We're considering switching to C++. None of 
> us has extensive C++ experience, although we've all seen some C and 
> one of us has done a lot of Objective C. (I've ordered a copy of 
> Weiss' "C++ for Java Programmers".)
>
> Should we start from scratch or use parts of another open source 
> program, such as GNU Go?
>
> Peter Drake
> Assistant Professor of Computer Science
> Lewis & Clark College
> http://www.lclark.edu/~drake/
>
>
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