I recently found a report I wrote on JAVAs quicksort algorithm as part of the INDA course last year. I read it through and it’s actually pretty interesting stuff if you’re interested in how QuickSort works and how we can optimize the algorithm for specific data sets. So I figured I’d release this for anyone who is interested! I’ll gladly accept comments on the report, so don’t be a stranger!
The abstract below:
In this report, we examine four implementations of the famous sorting algorithm known as QuickSort – the optimized one included in the Java API, and three barebone versions that we write ourselves. We then put these algorithms against each other to see which one is faster in sorting arbitrary and sorted data. We discover that whilst the Java implementation is the best in some cases, it can also be easily outperformed if you know a lot about your information.
Update 1: There’s great coverage on the history of Duke Nukem: Forever here, a fantastic read.
Update 2: An insider story about the life and death of Duke Nukem: Forever, check it out!
It felt almost unreal reading this article and realizing that Duke Nukem Forever might actually never be released. This holy grail of vaporware has been in the making for over twelve years, which in perspective is more than half my current life length! The game has gone through a number of 3D-engine changes and a cascade of other issues.
I was one of the people that always believed. I believed when the game first became notorious for its long release cycle back around the millennium shift. I even discussed DN: Forever with Per just a week ago or so, where he proclaimed that the game would never be released, following Broussard bold claims that DN:Forever would hit the shelves this very year.
Now it sadly looks like he was right.
To be perfectly honest I shouldn’t even be sad over this, I rarely play games nowadays, even though I have fond memories of the series, especially DN: Land Of The Babes which kept me company for what probably was an entire summer vacation. But this was one of those games – the ones that you just had to at least try because of the hype. If it was a great game or a disappointment came in second.
Take-Two still holds the rights to the Duke Nukem franchise, but has declined to make a comment on the situation. Who knows, maybe they’ll continue development and actually release it, although the chances are slim. But I’ll never stop believing… R.I.P for now, Duke.
The game back in 2001, when it looked almost finished, and still cool by todays standards according to me.
In other news…
Rawr!
I’ve finally started to teach myself Apache Tomcat – a fascinating (albeit sometimes confusing) implementation of Java for the web. If you’re a Java programmer and wish to develop dynamic applications for the web, this is where to start!
Duke – Smug as always,
Living with technology 