Re: [boost] [sort] Re: [review] Formal review period for Sort library begins today, November 10, and ends Wednesday, November 19

Subject: Re: [boost] [sort] Re: [review] Formal review period for Sort library begins today, November 10, and ends Wednesday, November 19
From: Robert Ramey (ramey_at_[hidden])
Date: 2014-11-10 11:29:11

Peter Dimov-2 wrote
> We determine whether the library works by testing it, and we determine the 
> library's performance by timing it. We're empiricists.
> 
> Of course, if Steven wants to provide formal proofs of correctness and 
> complexity requirements, that would be very nice of him; I just don't
> think 
> it's fair to demand it.

+1  In our context, testing trumps proof.  This is because all such "proofs"
count operations of some sort.  And operations (e.g. compare, relink, 
dereference, etc) vary between algorithms.

Also I agree that we should stick to our our stated standards.

Robert Ramey

PS - I'm was sort of disappointed that the Postman's sort wasn't
referred to.  It was published many years ago and has been cited
numerous times.  It has several times won a contest held by
Microsoft Research for the world's fastest sort.  To prove it, I have two
medals hanging on my door knob (each with the name spelled
wrong - in different ways).

Robert Ramey

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