Bit of random computing...

[sara]

...I think this is a shoddy question for a test as it doesn't give you much insight into actual computing, but hey... There isn't a given answer for this (it's ok, the test is on thurs, I'm not cheating, this is a dummy revision Q)

You are asked to check the sensibility for Tesco's new shop distribution system. This system has a database with N stores and M distribution centres, and whenever a store needs something the system will check for each distribution centre whether they can get it there, and get it from the cheapest one. The system was measured with 10,000 stores and 200 distribution centres, each shop delivering Q = 100 queries. This system takes 1 hour to handle all queries. How long would it take this system to handle the queries for 20,000 stores, 150 queries and the same number of distribution centres?

I make it 3 hours, based on complete guesswork with the relationships between stores, distributions centres & queries...


a 2 hours

b 3 hours

c 5 hours

d 6 hours

e 24 hours

[Huskey]

Hmmm, presuming that "all queries" means every query from every shop to query every distribution store (although the last bit doesn't matter, 'cos it don't change innit :) ), I presume:

50% more queries means it takes 1.5 hours for the same number of shops
Since the number of shops double, this doubles to 3 hours.

So yeah, 3 hours... what's their answer? :D

I never agreed with A-level computing tbh...

[sara]

I don't know what their answer is, that's the thing you see...

...and this isn't A level computing, heh! I'm a bit older than that! Am in my 3rd year at uni on work placement, the course people devise 3 multiple-choice exams through the year to keep us on our toes - we all have different disciplines, be it computing, electronics, civil, mechanical, aeronautical - etc. So the computing Q's are a bit odd considering they can't really ask coding questions to the people who haven't taken that subject.

[Paddy]

It'll depend on the way the algoritm calculates the answers, for example is the time to completion related to a power of the store no.? If it is a linear system then, doubling the no of stores will relate to a doubled query time and adding 50% extra queries will be 50% extra times so equals 3 hours like Huskey said. But if the system is based on a square law, then doubling the number of stores would quadruple the query time!!!

So from the info provided I would give 3 hours as the answer, but there is far too little information to get a correct answer.

In fluids it happens all the time, if your calcualting the flow in a specific control volume, if you halve the grid size you can easily increase the computation time by a factor of 4!

[Huskey]

I don't know what their answer is, that's the thing you see...

...and this isn't A level computing, heh! I'm a bit older than that! Am in my 3rd year at uni on work placement, the course people devise 3 multiple-choice exams through the year to keep us on our toes - we all have different disciplines, be it computing, electronics, civil, mechanical, aeronautical - etc. So the computing Q's are a bit odd considering they can't really ask coding questions to the people who haven't taken that subject.

Sorry, I didn't mean it like that! :o I knew you were at uni really, it's just I remember getting shoddy questions like that all the time in A-level computing where the answer was always not the one you gave :)

Where are you currently working btw, if you don't mind me asking? ;)

[sara]

Motorola, Swindon.

And before you ask no I can't get free handsets, it's the base-station/tranceiver division rather than handset. Motorola handsets are horrible anyway (apart from the Razr I'm told)!

[Swafe]

Which is still quite icky, with its baaad software

Dont like the mouth mike either, too big

[DarkEntity]

i sorta think 3 is correct..although its been years since i did course work

[BroadbandPlacey]

yeah i get it to 3 hours aswell, 50% more makes 1.5 hours and double the number of stores - 3 hours

[DarkEntity]

glad to see my brian still functions after all these years :D

[Twigman]

I want a free base-station :D



no seriously...lol

[Andy King Of All]

quite an easy question i say, i would have doen it the same way you have worked it out and really thats not hard. Just a bit of maths in a stupid question!! Assuming of course we're right.

I've had it with databases for today tho. 7 hrs playing with oracle writing the SQL then building the forums and reports to connect to the database. After fucking the installation and having to remove it manually from the registry etc, its like a fucking virus. Had enough....off to bed!!

[Annemarie]

Poor dear, even though im crap at maths i would have done it that way, throught he power of assumption.

[Mr Flibble]

Motorola, Swindon.

And before you ask no I can't get free handsets, it's the base-station/tranceiver division rather than handset. Motorola handsets are horrible anyway (apart from the Razr I'm told)!

Cool, that's where I come from originally (well, a little village near Wooton Bassett to be precise)
Swindon's a great place for business but soooo dull to live in, horrible 1970's concrete buildings everywhere. Bit like Milton Keynes but smaller.

[sara]

Mmm quite glad I go back to Bristol every night, even if it is a 1hr drive there and another 1hr back :(

I actually ended up being given exactly the above question with some change in wording - and it was indeed 3 hours - the test was a shambles though! On Q 24 (out of 25) when you hit 'next' it jumped out of the test and wouldn't let you go back and review the questions you'd left uncommitted to return to! Grrr.

So, we were given paper copies to do it on, and I had forgotten what answers I put for what Q in most places so I had to rethink some questions from the beginning - and we got not extra time for the mess and good 15 mins of confusing, groowwwllll. Oh well, we'll see what the marks were soon... I hope! Paper copies means marking though so they'll take their time I am sure.