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The Computer Journal 1986 29(2):161-166; doi:10.1093/comjnl/29.2.161
© 1986 by British Computer Society
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Towards a problem-solving methodology for coping with increasing complexity: an engineering approach

J. T. Boardman * and G. C. A. Robson

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Brighton Polytechnic, Moulsecoomb, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, UK

A methodology is sought that provides some formalism to the phenomenon of increasing problem complexity. The paper describes an engineering approach to the formulation of problem-solving strategies for a sequence of increasingly complicated variants of the well-known Towers of Hanoi problem. This approach defines the preferred nature of tools required for the discover of fresh and promising insights into handling increasing complexity. As a consequence of the research which the paper describes, an optimal recursive algorithm for solving the Towers of Hanoi problem with invariant initial conditions has been revealed, and this is presented. Conclusions are made as to the relevance of a possible principle of evolutionary elegance for generalised problem-solving strategies.

Received November 1984.

* Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Brighton Polytechnic, Moulsecoomb, Brighton, BN2 4GJ

§ To whom correspondence should be addressed.


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