[Shootout-list] Ray tracer

[Einar Karttunen]

Jon Harrop <jon@ffconsultancy.com> writes:
>> i think that would make it more difficult to get other 
>> implementations of a test. some implementors would have to wait until a
>> sutable (understandable to them) version exists, before they can start
>> on their own.
>
> I'd have thought that virtually all programmers would understand a common 
> subset of languages well enough to translate it.
>

Having an english description is not not as important in tests where all
programs have to do the same thing algorithmically (although I still
prefer a good english description). In raytracer algorithmic
optimization is allowed, so one first needs to read a few best
performing programs - then try to find out what the exact problem is 
and what is required.

When copying a solution from an another language the usual reason is
that the test lacks a good description and that is the fastest way to
get a good implementation. Of course starting from an english language
description the implementation would probably be more intuitive to the
programming language used.

>> i do no agree with this idea. i prefer english specifications, with
>> details added if neccessary.
>
> I think we'll be needing typeset mathematics then. :-)

Plain english explanation should be enough. It takes some time but the
problems in shootout can be described in it quite well.

- Einar Karttunen