Hi Bill,
I've been thinking a little more about the theory of Freecell solving.
I'm getting a spurt of education advancement from my new acquaintance with
Shlomi Fish and his solver.
I had been abysmally ignorant of the theory underlying this kind a
game-solving. I knew the term DFS from the Don Woods software, but had no
idea whether this represented one of a dozen possible approaches, or what.
So it's very new to me that, evidently, there are two primary types of
applicable strategy, A* or DFS. I'd never heard of A* previously, and I'd
asked Shlomi if he could explain it, and he referred me to that website.
So I'd like to ask you this. This is from curiosity I've had about your
solver, because I must admit that I have been very surprised at the speed
you've reported. If you don't mind revealing this, is the reason for your
high speed that you are using A* instead of DFS? Or do you have yet a third
approach? Or could one say that between A* and DFS, they are inherently the
only two possible types of approach?
I should make it clear that I have no intention myself of doing any
serious fundamental solver development. I'm capable only of tinkering
around the edges with other people's solvers, which is the way I'd describe
what I've done with the Don Woods solver. I've made a lot of changes in
it, but have penetrated into it only at a superficial level.
Best regards, -----------------Adrian
Received on Mon Nov 19 2001 - 04:19:11 IST