Tuesday, September 11, 2012

The minimal path problem

Finding the minimum path in a graph is a problem that occurs frequently in different situations. A well known algorithm for solving this problem is Dijkstra's algorithm.
To get an understanding of this algorithm, I tried watching a couple of lectures and reading some descriptions on a number of sites. The most detailed and easy-to-understand material I found was a sample question, explained thoroughly at Dijkstra's Algorithm example . Before stumbling across it, I did have some idea about this algorithm, but it did not have much to do with the real thing. (Update: this link doesn't seem to be working any longer.Pity)
I was introduced to Wodehouse by a friend while in school and I have been an avid fan since. The Jeeves books are the best of all, but I have not been able to find all of them in the local bookshops I usualy haunt.
Incidentlly, I was also introduced to Agatha Christie by the same friend. Now there are a number of her books that I have seen in every bookshop in Saddar, my usual resource, and none besides. When I had finished all the available ones, I searched for others and recognized the pattern. There are some including Black Coffee, 4:50 from Paddington, Nemesis that one can find in every shop.
Talking of books that one can find in every bookshop, there is sometimes a book-of-the-time that every shop offers you. Some time ago, it used to be the twilight series. The last time I went, there were A Song of Ice and Fire books in the most noticeable places. There was some other vampire series too, vampire diaries I guess, that had glossy black covers.The covers were nice.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

The end of another glorious vactaion

The golden, glorious holidays are gone,every single one of them. Never to return.
As can be expected, there is a gloom that surrounds everything on this last evening.
To be honest, I still have some power that I have exercised on previous ocassions. Much time has not gone by since I gave myself almost a week of holidays. It was quite a nice feeling, I lazed around for another week and felt happy with myself and the world.
This time, it is not possible, since I have been asked to present myself on the appointed day by some quarters which are too high to ignore.
I read some interesting books , the most mentionable of which is an Urdu one .It was lusciously thick and I hope I can finally embark on a study of Urdu literature.