/ 
Algorithm-MasterMind-v0.4.5
River stage zero No dependents
/ Algorithm::MasterMind::Partition_Worst

NAME

Algorithm::MasterMind::Partition_Worst - Plays by Knuth's playbook

SYNOPSIS

    use Algorithm::MasterMind::Partition_Worst;
    my $secret_code = 'EAFC';
    my @alphabet = qw( A B C D E F );
    my $solver = new Algorithm::MasterMind::Partition_Worst { alphabet => \@alphabet,
						   length => length( $secret_code ) };

DESCRIPTION

Solves the algorithm by issuing each time a combination that minimizes the size of the worst partition. This intends to maximally reduce the search space each time; it was the first algorithm used to play mastermind, but it's no longer state of the art, and does not work very well for spaces higher than 4-6. In fact, it will probably take a lot of time (and use a lot of memory) for 5-9 already, so use it carefully.

INTERFACE

initialize()

Called from new, initializes data structures.

issue_first ()

Issues it in the Knuth way, AABC. This should probably be computed from scratch (to be coherent with the algorithm), but it's already published, so what the hell.

issue_next()

Issues the next combination

AUTHOR

JJ Merelo <jj@merelo.net>, and obviously, Donald Knuth as author of the algorithm.

LICENCE AND COPYRIGHT

Copyright (c) 2009, JJ Merelo <jj@merelo.net>. All rights reserved.

This module is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the same terms as Perl itself. See perlartistic.

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY

BECAUSE THIS SOFTWARE IS LICENSED FREE OF CHARGE, THERE IS NO WARRANTY FOR THE SOFTWARE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. EXCEPT WHEN OTHERWISE STATED IN WRITING THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND/OR OTHER PARTIES PROVIDE THE SOFTWARE "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE IS WITH YOU. SHOULD THE SOFTWARE PROVE DEFECTIVE, YOU ASSUME THE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR, OR CORRECTION.

IN NO EVENT UNLESS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR AGREED TO IN WRITING WILL ANY COPYRIGHT HOLDER, OR ANY OTHER PARTY WHO MAY MODIFY AND/OR REDISTRIBUTE THE SOFTWARE AS PERMITTED BY THE ABOVE LICENCE, BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY GENERAL, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF DATA OR DATA BEING RENDERED INACCURATE OR LOSSES SUSTAINED BY YOU OR THIRD PARTIES OR A FAILURE OF THE SOFTWARE TO OPERATE WITH ANY OTHER SOFTWARE), EVEN IF SUCH HOLDER OR OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.