Theists - what convinced you?

[Tiberius]

I wasn't aiming to be concise, it only took me 10 minutes to write.

[Darwinian]

My little Delphi version..

Code:

var
  target, output: string; a: word; cnt: longint;

begin
  target:='HELLO'; cnt:=0;

  repeat
    output:='';

    for a := 0 to length(target)-1 do begin
      output:=output+chr(65+Random(26)); inc(cnt);
    end;

  until target=output;

  Label1.Caption:='Target string '+target+' found after '+IntToStr(cnt)+' attempts..';
end;

But without the 'hold' feature.

Produces: Target string HELLO found after 22537965 attempts..

[Tiberius]

Yeah, mine is overly long to include object orientation, etc. Now do one with the hold method and the ability to choose between them

[Darwinian]

Yeah, mine is overly long to include object orientation, etc. Now do one with the hold method and the ability to choose between them

I'm attempting just the same However, I've just given it "SHALL I COMPARE THEE TO A SUMMERS DAY" to do so it might take some time :S

[Tiberius]

Won't that fail given the fact there are spaces and you're only using 26 letters of the alphabet?

[Darwinian]

Yup..

Code:

var
  target, output, tmp: string; a: word; cnt: longint;

begin
  target:='Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the western spiral arm of the galaxy';

  cnt:=0; output:=''; a:=0;

  while a<=length(target)-1 do begin
    tmp:=chr(32+Random(94)); inc(cnt);

    if Copy(target,a+1,1)=tmp then begin
      output:=output+tmp; inc(a);
    end;
  end;

  Label1.Caption:='Target string '+target+' found after '+IntToStr(cnt)+' attempts..';
end;

This is fun isn't it.....

Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the western spiral arm of the galaxy found in 8662 attempts

Edit: Oops, forgot the ability to choose.. Hang on a mo..

[Disinter]

I'm pleased you indent your code properly, so many people don't and just produce a clumsy mess. Nothing to do with the topic but I thought I'd give you a bit of praise anyway

You certainly wouldn't want to see my code

@ Adrian: Nice job!

[Darwinian]

I'm pleased you indent your code properly, so many people don't and just produce a clumsy mess. Nothing to do with the topic but I thought I'd give you a bit of praise anyway

You certainly wouldn't want to see my code

@ Adrian: Nice job!

What about me

Anyway..

Code:

var
  target, output, tmp: string; a: word; cnt: longint;

Const
  hold: boolean = False;

begin
  target:='Hello';

  cnt:=0;

  repeat
    output:=''; a:=0;

    while a<=length(target)-1 do begin
      tmp:=chr(32+Random(94)); inc(cnt);

      if (Copy(target,a+1,1)=tmp) or (not hold) then begin
        output:=output+tmp; inc(a);
      end;

    end;

  until (hold) or (output=target);

  Label1.Caption:='Target string '+target+' found after '+IntToStr(cnt)+' attempts..';
end;

It's still working on 'Hello' without the hold option and it's really surprising how long it takes using the whole alphabet rather than just the capitals :S

Edit: It found 'Hell' in 216813840 attempts!!! I dare you to do it with the full alphabet and look for 'How long will this take?'

[The_Flying_Skeptic]

I don't believe in any deity but if I did, I'd probably believe in the deity that died. If you don't believe in a deity that loves you or performs miracles or you don't believe that a deity became human and died for you on the cross, yet you can't deal with the 'first cause argument', believe in the god that died. Problem solved.

I wouldn't actually believe in a deity that died... deities don't die... everyone knows that, common sense.

I honestly don't see myself ever believing that a god created the universe. the word god is way too personified or anthropocentric to describe what I think of 'the first cause' argument. Though, any god could solve the 'first cause' argument. The god that died is just as qualified for the job.

[Disinter]

I'm pleased you indent your code properly, so many people don't and just produce a clumsy mess. Nothing to do with the topic but I thought I'd give you a bit of praise anyway

You certainly wouldn't want to see my code

@ Adrian: Nice job!

What about me

Kudos to you too, I've enjoyed your contributions as well.