User Name Password Register
DaniWeb IT Discussion Community
All
What is DaniWeb IT Discussion Community?
You're currently browsing the Computer Science and Software Design section within the Software Development category of DaniWeb, a massive community of 402,753 software developers, web developers, Internet marketers, and tech gurus who are all enthusiastic about making contacts, networking, and learning from each other. In fact, there are 2,462 IT professionals currently interacting right now! Registration is free, only takes a minute and lets you enjoy all of the interactive features of the site.
Please support our Computer Science and Software Design advertiser: Programming Forums
Views: 3660 | Replies: 3
Reply
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 4
Reputation: -Job- is an unknown quantity at this point 
Rep Power: 0
Solved Threads: 0
-Job- -Job- is offline Offline
Newbie Poster

Algorithm to Boolean Math Function

  #1  
Aug 14th, 2005
Could anyone confirm if for every algorithm running on some architecture M, there is an equivalent boolean function, and that the length of this boolean function is proportional to the runtime of the algorithm? Meaning that if A is a polynomial algorithm, then the corresponding boolean function f is also polynomial in length (has a polynomial number of boolean operations).
And wouldn't it be interesting if there was a computer program where we could plugin an algorithm and obtain the corresponding boolean function? The input variables of f would be the bits corresponding to the input to A... sounds possible?
AddThis Social Bookmark Button
Reply With Quote  
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Troy
Posts: 1,277
Reputation: Rashakil Fol has a spectacular aura about Rashakil Fol has a spectacular aura about 
Rep Power: 7
Solved Threads: 36
Colleague
Rashakil Fol's Avatar
Rashakil Fol Rashakil Fol is offline Offline
Salamander Man

Re: Algorithm to Boolean Math Function

  #2  
Aug 14th, 2005
It might depend:

What operations do you specifically mean by "boolean operations"?

Unless you have a wide-ranging definition of "boolean operations", the answer's no.
Reply With Quote  
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Troy
Posts: 1,277
Reputation: Rashakil Fol has a spectacular aura about Rashakil Fol has a spectacular aura about 
Rep Power: 7
Solved Threads: 36
Colleague
Rashakil Fol's Avatar
Rashakil Fol Rashakil Fol is offline Offline
Salamander Man

Re: Algorithm to Boolean Math Function

  #3  
Aug 14th, 2005
On second thought, your question makes no sense at all. What is a "polynomial algorithm"? Polynomial with respect to what? For example, factoring large numbers is a polynomial algorithm with respect to the value of the number you're trying to factor. For example, to factor n, you only need to check at most sqrt(n) numbers, using a naive algorithm. But measuring with respect to the length of n in digits, factoring does not run in polynomial time.

So, would your 'boolean function' be sqrt(n) large or exp(n) large?

Also, your question makes no sense because runtime is measured with respect to the size of the input. Your boolean function would have be a fixed length. And if it consists of 'boolean operations' then it would take the same amount of time to run, every time. Then could you give it any size input and have the algorithm run in constant time? No. For instance, a generic sorting algorithm cannot beat O(n log n) worst case, but your 'boolean function' would do just that, taking O(1) time no matter how many millions of items are in the input.

Does not sound possible.
Reply With Quote  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 4
Reputation: -Job- is an unknown quantity at this point 
Rep Power: 0
Solved Threads: 0
-Job- -Job- is offline Offline
Newbie Poster

Re: Algorithm to Boolean Math Function

  #4  
Aug 14th, 2005
I'm sorry, you're right it wouldn't be possible to describe a whole algorithm with a boolean function, but it is possible to describe a run of an algorithm on a specific input with a boolean function, and the size (number of of boolean operations by which i mean the logical OR, AND, NOT) of the function would be proportional to the time it took the run to complete.
Boolean algebra doesn't allow us to jump around in the function, hence the function would always take the same time to "execute". Of course, by adding jump statements, then we're just creating a programming language anyway.
Reply With Quote  
Reply

Only community members can participate in forum threads. You must register or log in to contribute.

DaniWeb Computer Science and Software Design Marketplace
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

 

Thread Tools Display Modes

Similar Threads
Other Threads in the Computer Science and Software Design Forum

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 8:23 am.
Forum system based on vBulletin Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
©2003 - 2008 DaniWeb® LLC