Re: mathematical functions - specifically sqroot

--- bix xslt  wrote:
 
> Attempting to resolve the following pseudo code:
> 
> N = number of children
> sqrt = sqRoot(N)
> 
> if (sqrt - (int)sqrt > 0)
>    w = (int)sqrt
>    h = w + 1
> else
>    w = sqrt
>    h = w
> 
> 
> I came across the following xslt script.  Is there a simpler way that
> I
> 
> might be able to implement this?  Currently, I am unable to download
> any 
> additional software off the internet onto my PC.  Consequently, I am
> also 
> unable to get the xalan, xerces, and saxon programs.  I am relying
> entirely 
> on MSXML2.0 at this point as I have IE 5.0. However, I am attempting
> to
> 
> develop for MSXML3.0 (or whichever version ships with IE 6.x) for an
> upgrade 
> my group will receive in May 2003.
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> Bix

[template skipped -- can be found at:
http://fxsl.sourceforge.net/articles/FuncProg/6.html#Square_root]


Hi Bix,
Let me start with the fact that MSXML2 does not implement XSLT 1.0 but
a different language -- therefore the chances of it understanding any
XSLT template (including templates that calculate sqrt) are close to
zero.

The template you listed is really more complex than it could be. It
uses "generators" that may be used to do processing in a similar way to
the processing of ***infinite*** lists, which is possible in languages
with lazy evaluation.

The same library (FXSL) contains the more generic "pow" function, which
can be used to calculate sqrt (a special case when the value of pPower
is 1/2).

http://fxsl.sourceforge.net/articles/xslCalculator/The%20FXSL%20Calculator.html#3._The_Exponential_and_Logarithmic_Functions


Or, one can use two different ways to solve the equation
x^2 - a = 0

which will produce sqrt(a):

http://fxsl.sourceforge.net/articles/xslCalculator/The%20FXSL%20Calculator.html#4._Solving_Equations_of_One_Real_Variable


Neither of these looks particularly simple, however these templates are
called in the most simple and shortest way possible. The end user need
not be concerned how they work and which numerical method they
implement.

This said, you may find the sqrt template of Nate Austin a little bit
simpler:

http://sources.redhat.com/ml/xsl-list/2001-08/msg00739.html

Even in this case understanding the logic requires understanding the
underlying numerical method.




=====
Cheers,

Dimitre Novatchev.
http://fxsl.sourceforge.net/ -- the home of FXSL

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