Beginning Algorithms (2006)

TEAM LinG

Beginning Algorithms

Beginning Algorithms

Published by

Wiley Publishing, Inc.

10475 Crosspoint Boulevard Indianapolis, IN 46256 www.wiley.com

Published 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

ISBN-13: 978-0-7645- 9674-2

ISBN-10: 0-7645-9674-8

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

1MA/RS/RQ/QV/IN

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

Harris, Simon, 1972-

Beginning algorithms / Simon Harris and James Ross. p. cm.

Includes index.

ISBN-13: 978-0-7645-9674-2 (paper/website) ISBN-10: 0-7645-9674-8 (paper/website)

1. Computer algorithms. I. Ross, James, 1968II. Title. QA76.9.A43H376 2005

005.1--dc22

2005022374

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About the Authors

Simon Harris started writing animated sprites on a Commodore 64 in primary school. After a break of many years, he taught himself 80x86 and IBM System/370 assembler and started working professionally. Since then he has moved from assembler to C, C++, and, of course, Java. He believes a fundamental understanding and appreciation of algorithms is essential to developing good software; and since starting his own company, RedHill Consulting, he has managed to make a living discussing and demonstrating software development practices and techniques to anyone who will listen.

In his more than 15 years of development experience, James Ross has ranged from building packaged products to large enterprise systems to research into compilers and languages. In recent years, he has become a code quality fanatic and agile methods specialist, particularly with test-driven development. He works as a consultant for ThoughtWorks, the world’s leading agile software development company. He is currently leading the development of a large J2EE project in the insurance industry in Melbourne, Australia. He lives with his wife and family in Melbourne.

Acknowledgments

From Simon Harris: First and foremost, a mighty big thank-you to Jon Eaves for handing us this opportunity, and to James, whose skill and professionalism never cease to amaze me. I certainly couldn’t have finished this book without either of you.

Many thanks also to all those who read the draft chapters and provided feedback: Andrew Harris, Andy Trigg, Peter Barry, Michael Melia, and Darrell Deboer (I’m sure I’ve missed some). I hope you find the final product does justice to your efforts.

I also want to acknowledge my brother Tim for listening to my ranting at all hours of the night and day, and Kerri Rusnak and her family for feeding me waffles and cups of tea, not to mention my Aikido students for continuing to turn up and practice during my various absences.

Finally, I’d like to extend my sincerest gratitude to everyone at Wiley who persisted with the book and to all of my other friends and family who continued to prod and encourage me, especially when I thought the sky was falling. It’s certainly been a learning experience.

From James Ross: First of all, I’d like to thank Simon for letting me come along for the ride on his first book. It was a great opportunity to write seriously for the first time and it’s always a pleasure and an education to work with Simon. We heard a lot of stories about author teams who destroy their relationship while collaborating on a book, but I’m glad to say we avoided that trap.

I’d also like to thank all the folks at Wiley who were extremely understanding with two newbie authors and guided us unerringly towards the goal—especially Ami Sullivan and Carol Long. It is much appreciated.

To all the supergeeks at ThoughtWorks who have made my professional life such a pleasure over the past few years, especially Andy Trigg, who’s been my programming pal since we wrote our first unit tests together, and who reviewed all the chapters I wrote with incredible attention to detail and insight, and Jon Eaves, the technical editor on this book, who never fails to make me laugh and teach me something. Simon Stewart also helped with great feedback on early drafts, and Gregor Hohpe and Martin Fowler provided the encouragement and inspiration to actually keep typing all those long nights.

Speaking of the long nights, I can honestly say that this book would not have been possible (at least my chapters!) without the love and understanding of the ladies in my life—Catherine, who is the sun in our little solar system; Jessica; Ruby; and little Ella, who was six months old when I signed on for this project and who slept at least 12 hours every single night while it was being written. You may never read it, baby, but I’ll always think of you when I pick it up!