- I A - (was Kernel mode programming - precisions)

[Ryan Sommers]

Street Chaman wrote:

> NOTE: THIS IS NOT A JOKE.
> 
> I don't know if it is the right place to post this; I actually don't 
> know even if I should post this; but, before giving it up because of my 
> own limits, I have to write down what I was trying to do. Maybe someone 
> will be interested in; maybe someone will finish it.
> 

This is a fine (the best) place to post all the questions you have 
asked. Few things to note:

1) Don't keep changing subject lines. By leaving your subject line as is 
you aid not only those reading their list mail in a threaded view, but 
those that search google or the archives have a much easier time 
following the logical progression of the discussion.

2) I'm not sure (nor have I looked) if you are the '- Felix -' that 
posted about kernel mode programming, but same thing goes as for the 
subject line; it helps us make sense of the conversation if you leave 
your From: header line somewhat similar.

Congratulations on thinking up an idea and trying to put it into code. 
That can sometimes be the hardest thing to do in a project; seconded by 
choosing the name of the first source file to write.

I'm still not sure why timing was so critical for an AI (artificial 
intelligence) application. However, for something like artificial 
intelligence I would *definitely* not choose to write it in assembly. C 
or Java should provide a good higher-level language to begin in. 
Although I have no real experience in AI, I hear a lot of designers are 
using languages like Scheme, ML, Haskel or even Prolog, I believe, for 
this area of computer science. Although if you aren't familiar with 
functional languages I'm not sure I'd consider this as a first project 
to undertake in one.

Choosing a higher-level language could probably save you a lot of hair 
pulling over assembly. I would write your ideas in a high-level language 
first. Then once you've thoroughly determined the algorithm isn't at 
fault through profiling look at the generated assembly and see how you 
can squeeze out the extra cycles.

The other benefit is the obvious portability one. Sharing your AI ideas 
with others will be quite limited if you constrain yourself to a single 
architecture and ISA.

-- 
Ryan Sommers
ryans at gamersimpact.com