## Algorithms

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Number of threads: 402
Number of posts: 786

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Finding an algorithm Posted by geoffrey2312 on 10 Nov 2008 at 11:23 AM
Right, first off I am not an advanced programmer and am self taught in what I do know so please keep that in mind.

is it possible to reverse engineer an algorithm, if I had an output code based on multiple events and had all of these events logged and also had multiple instances of this code and the events. Would it be possible to:

a) Write a program that takes all of the data I have collected (output code and input data) and work out the algorithm used to create that code.

b) Use the algorithm with my own input data to create my own codes.

And how would I go about writing a program to do this?
Re: Finding an algorithm Posted by Malcolm_McLean on 11 Nov 2008 at 11:14 AM
: Right, first off I am not an advanced programmer and am self taught
: in what I do know so please keep that in mind.
:
: is it possible to reverse engineer an algorithm, if I had an output
: code based on multiple events and had all of these events logged and
: also had multiple instances of this code and the events. Would it be
: possible to:
:
: a) Write a program that takes all of the data I have collected
: (output code and input data) and work out the algorithm used to
: create that code.
:
: b) Use the algorithm with my own input data to create my own codes.
:
: And how would I go about writing a program to do this?
:

It's harder than you might imagine.

Say input is 2, 3 then 5, 4 then 3, 3 and output is 5, 9, 6. Any human will instnatly twig that the operation must be addition. However it is almost impossible to get a computer to think in a flexible way.

Re: Finding an algorithm Posted by geoffrey2312 on 12 Nov 2008 at 7:34 AM

: Say input is 2, 3 then 5, 4 then 3, 3 and output is 5, 9, 6. Any
: human will instnatly twig that the operation must be addition.
: However it is almost impossible to get a computer to think in a
: flexible way.
:
:
:
Basically as a struggling student I was going go have a go at putting free electricity into the meter. I have all the slips for the last few years and in each there is a code you put in to the machine. I imagine the code is an algorithm based on the amount, time, date, card no. and maybe the shop. I have religiously purchased electricity from my local shop and saved all these receipts.

I know that this is morally wrong but when I have finished studying and am actually earning money I will happily pay my way. Until then its shoestring budget and a short course in electricianing

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The text passage is a forum discussion about reverse engineering an algorithm from input-output data, with a specific example of trying to deduce the algorithm used to generate electricity meter codes.
no_question

the passage does not contain a mathematical question or calculation. it discusses the concept of reverse engineering an algorithm, which is a computational and logical problem, but it does not present a specific mathematical question or calculation that requires a numerical or algebraic solution.
Given a text passage, determine:
    1. If it contains a mathematical question (including word problems or calculations)
    2. If an answer to that mathematical question is provided in the text

First, describe the content structure you found in 1-2 sentences.

Then provide your analysis in the following format:
TYPE: <one of the following values>
- NO_QUESTION
- SINGLE_QUESTION
- SINGLE_QUESTION_WITH_ANSWER
- MULTIPLE_QUESTIONS
- MULTIPLE_QUESTIONS_WITH_ANSWERS
system
## Algorithms

Moderators: None (Apply to moderate this forum)
Number of threads: 402
Number of posts: 786

This Forum Only

Finding an algorithm Posted by geoffrey2312 on 10 Nov 2008 at 11:23 AM
Right, first off I am not an advanced programmer and am self taught in what I do know so please keep that in mind.

is it possible to reverse engineer an algorithm, if I had an output code based on multiple events and had all of these events logged and also had multiple instances of this code and the events. Would it be possible to:

a) Write a program that takes all of the data I have collected (output code and input data) and work out the algorithm used to create that code.

b) Use the algorithm with my own input data to create my own codes.

And how would I go about writing a program to do this?
Re: Finding an algorithm Posted by Malcolm_McLean on 11 Nov 2008 at 11:14 AM
: Right, first off I am not an advanced programmer and am self taught
: in what I do know so please keep that in mind.
:
: is it possible to reverse engineer an algorithm, if I had an output
: code based on multiple events and had all of these events logged and
: also had multiple instances of this code and the events. Would it be
: possible to:
:
: a) Write a program that takes all of the data I have collected
: (output code and input data) and work out the algorithm used to
: create that code.
:
: b) Use the algorithm with my own input data to create my own codes.
:
: And how would I go about writing a program to do this?
:

It's harder than you might imagine.

Say input is 2, 3 then 5, 4 then 3, 3 and output is 5, 9, 6. Any human will instnatly twig that the operation must be addition. However it is almost impossible to get a computer to think in a flexible way.

Re: Finding an algorithm Posted by geoffrey2312 on 12 Nov 2008 at 7:34 AM

: Say input is 2, 3 then 5, 4 then 3, 3 and output is 5, 9, 6. Any
: human will instnatly twig that the operation must be addition.
: However it is almost impossible to get a computer to think in a
: flexible way.
:
:
:
Basically as a struggling student I was going go have a go at putting free electricity into the meter. I have all the slips for the last few years and in each there is a code you put in to the machine. I imagine the code is an algorithm based on the amount, time, date, card no. and maybe the shop. I have religiously purchased electricity from my local shop and saved all these receipts.

I know that this is morally wrong but when I have finished studying and am actually earning money I will happily pay my way. Until then its shoestring budget and a short course in electricianing

## Recent Jobs

Official Programmer's Heaven Blogs
Web Hosting | Browser and Social Games | Gadgets

Popular resources on Programmersheaven.com
Assembly | Basic | C | C# | C++ | Delphi | Flash | Java | JavaScript | Pascal | Perl | PHP | Python | Ruby | Visual Basic
© Copyright 2011 Programmersheaven.com - All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.
Violators of this policy may be subject to legal action. Please read our Terms Of Use and Privacy Statement for more information.
Operated by CommunityHeaven, a BootstrapLabs company.
user
The text passage is a forum discussion about reverse engineering an algorithm from input-output data, with a specific example of trying to deduce the algorithm used to generate electricity meter codes.

TYPE: NO_QUESTION

The passage does not contain a mathematical question or calculation. It discusses the concept of reverse engineering an algorithm, which is a computational and logical problem, but it does not present a specific mathematical question or calculation that requires a numerical or algebraic solution.