Greybeard's Conjecture

[greybeard]

In any project involving a number of inter-related design problems, solving what appears to be the most difficult one first leads to less frustration than solving the easiest first.

The reasoning is that a solution to the first may produce unpredicted constraints on the following, and if they were easier at the start, the additional constraints are more bearable, and less likely to give rise to high blood pressure and divorce proceedings.

[Geof]

And if you find it impossible to solve the most difficult problem and have to give up or totally redesign the project you have not wasted time solving all the other ones. BTDT

[greybeard]

Good observation Geof, I'll add it to the next version

[Kipper]

Sorry to hear about your conjecture...I hope it clears up soon!

[martinw]

Originally Posted by greybeard In any project involving a number of inter-related design problems, solving what appears to be the most difficult one first leads to less frustration than solving the easiest first. The reasoning is that a solution to the first may produce unpredicted constraints on the following, and if they were easier at the start, the additional constraints are more bearable, and less likely to give rise to high blood pressure and divorce proceedings.

Dear greybeard.

Brilliant! However, the problem I always seem to have is recognising which are going to be the big ones and which are going to be the little ones. Yes, experience helps, but there does seem to be a tendency for the itty bitty stuff to come and bite you in the bum just as you thought you had got the whole design sorted. The itty bitties unfortunately tend to appear after you have built the gadget.

Thanks, and Happy Christmas,

Best wishes,

Martin