Difference between revisions of "Infinity and efficiency"
(dropWhileRev) |
m |
||
| (7 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | [[Category:Idioms]] | + | [[Category:Idioms]][[Category:Style]] |
| − | In this article we | + | In this article we demonstrate how to check the efficiency of an implementation by checking for proper results for infinite input. |
| − | In general it is harder to reason about time and memory complexity of an implementation than | + | In general, it is harder to reason about time and memory complexity of an implementation than about its correctness. |
| − | In fact in Haskell inefficient implementations sometimes turn out to be wrong implementations | + | In fact, in Haskell inefficient implementations sometimes turn out to be wrong implementations. |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | Now | + | A very simple example is the function <code>reverse . reverse</code> which seems to be an inefficient implementation of <code>id</code>. |
| − | Say we want to program a function | + | In a language with [[strict semantics]], these two functions are the same. |
| + | But since the [[non-strict semantics]] of Haskell allows infinite data structures, there is a subtle difference, | ||
| + | because for an infinite input list, the function <code>reverse . reverse</code> is undefined, whereas <code>id</code> is defined. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Now let's consider a more complicated example. | ||
| + | Say we want to program a function that removes elements from the end of a list, | ||
just like <code>dropWhile</code> removes elements from the beginning of a list. | just like <code>dropWhile</code> removes elements from the beginning of a list. | ||
We want to call it <code>dropWhileRev</code>. | We want to call it <code>dropWhileRev</code>. | ||
| − | (As a more concrete example imagine a function which removes trailing spaces.) | + | (As a more concrete example, imagine a function which removes trailing spaces.) |
A simple implementation is | A simple implementation is | ||
<haskell> | <haskell> | ||
| Line 17: | Line 20: | ||
dropWhileRev p = reverse . dropWhile p . reverse | dropWhileRev p = reverse . dropWhile p . reverse | ||
</haskell> | </haskell> | ||
| − | You | + | You probably have already guessed that it also does not work for infinite input lists. |
| − | + | Incidentally, it is also inefficient, because <code>reverse</code> requires to compute all list nodes | |
| − | ( | + | (although it does not require to compute the values stored in the nodes). |
| − | Thus the full list skeleton must be | + | Thus the full list skeleton must be held in memory. |
| − | However it is possible to implement <code>dropWhileRev</code> in a way that works for more kinds of | + | However, it is possible to implement <code>dropWhileRev</code> in a way that works for more kinds of inputs. |
<haskell> | <haskell> | ||
dropWhileRev :: (a -> Bool) -> [a] -> [a] | dropWhileRev :: (a -> Bool) -> [a] -> [a] | ||
| Line 28: | Line 31: | ||
</haskell> | </haskell> | ||
Here, <code>foldr</code> formally inspects the list from right to left, | Here, <code>foldr</code> formally inspects the list from right to left, | ||
| − | but actually | + | but it actually processes data from left to right. |
| − | Whenever a run of elements | + | Whenever a run of elements that matches the condition <code>p</code> occurs, these elements are held until the end of the list is encountered (then they are dropped), |
| − | + | or when a non-matching list element is found (then they are emitted). | |
| − | or a non-matching list element is found (then they are emitted). | + | The crux is the part <code>null xs</code>, which requires to do recursive calls within <code>foldr</code>. |
| − | This works in many cases, but fails if the number of matching elements becomes too large. | + | This works in many cases, but it fails if the number of matching elements becomes too large. |
The maximum memory consumption depends on the length of the runs of non-matching elements, | The maximum memory consumption depends on the length of the runs of non-matching elements, | ||
which is much more efficient than the naive implementation above. | which is much more efficient than the naive implementation above. | ||
Latest revision as of 21:22, 29 June 2021
In this article we demonstrate how to check the efficiency of an implementation by checking for proper results for infinite input.
In general, it is harder to reason about time and memory complexity of an implementation than about its correctness.
In fact, in Haskell inefficient implementations sometimes turn out to be wrong implementations.
A very simple example is the function reverse . reverse which seems to be an inefficient implementation of id.
In a language with strict semantics, these two functions are the same.
But since the non-strict semantics of Haskell allows infinite data structures, there is a subtle difference,
because for an infinite input list, the function reverse . reverse is undefined, whereas id is defined.
Now let's consider a more complicated example.
Say we want to program a function that removes elements from the end of a list,
just like dropWhile removes elements from the beginning of a list.
We want to call it dropWhileRev.
(As a more concrete example, imagine a function which removes trailing spaces.)
A simple implementation is
dropWhileRev :: (a -> Bool) -> [a] -> [a]
dropWhileRev p = reverse . dropWhile p . reverse
You probably have already guessed that it also does not work for infinite input lists.
Incidentally, it is also inefficient, because reverse requires to compute all list nodes
(although it does not require to compute the values stored in the nodes).
Thus the full list skeleton must be held in memory.
However, it is possible to implement dropWhileRev in a way that works for more kinds of inputs.
dropWhileRev :: (a -> Bool) -> [a] -> [a]
dropWhileRev p =
foldr (\x xs -> if p x && null xs then [] else x:xs) []
Here, foldr formally inspects the list from right to left,
but it actually processes data from left to right.
Whenever a run of elements that matches the condition p occurs, these elements are held until the end of the list is encountered (then they are dropped),
or when a non-matching list element is found (then they are emitted).
The crux is the part null xs, which requires to do recursive calls within foldr.
This works in many cases, but it fails if the number of matching elements becomes too large.
The maximum memory consumption depends on the length of the runs of non-matching elements,
which is much more efficient than the naive implementation above.