BruteForceSolution
From UoWiki
A crude solution to a problem. These kinds of solutions are simplistic, but inefficient. Contrasts with ElegantSolutions.
Every so often a story surfaces about the use of fast computers to solve problems using BruteForce . The responses to such claims varies between those who think that a new age has dawned, and those who dismiss the claim as hype.
- May I be the first to welcome our number crunching overlords.
- Brute force is killing thought. We do not learn from randomly testing cases.
- It is an interesting point you bring up, but I think there is a lot we can learn from brute force approaches to problem solving.
Another viewpoint is that Brute Force may be applied under certain circumstances. If the number of candidate solutions are such that the time taken to find an Elegant Solution is longer than it would take to apply a crude but simplistic technique, then Brute Force can be effective.
There is also scope to use a simple minded approach where nothing else is available. The early stages of solving a problem may involve a period of 'specialisation' i.e. trying out simple approaches in order to see if any patterns emerge. Relationships discovered in this way can provide the basis for shortcuts to a solution.
