[REBOL] Re: Block! v List! dilema...
From: holger:rebol at: 6-Apr-2001 11:52
On Fri, Apr 06, 2001 at 07:09:05PM +0000, Chris wrote:
> Using a block, I guess that pick for a block is an O(1) operation - a
> simple array lookup?
Yes.
> Now the problem - when a user comments on a bug, or a
> project admin updates the status of a bug, I want that bug to be moved to
> the start of the buglist block. Remembering that this list could end up
> being long (probably into the thousands), removing an element in the middle
> and inserting it at the start would, I guess, be rather costly.
Yes, but it should not be a problem unless you move a large number of elements
around in a loop. A single remove/insert only takes a small fraction of a
second, even in very large blocks.
> The
> alternative is to use a list of course: that makes the move very quick,
> but what does it do to my display code? Is pick for list still O(1) - I
> guess it isn't?
No, it is O(n).
> Given that displays vastly outnumber moves, should I just stick with blocks?
> Or does anyone have a better suggestion?
Blocks are probably better.
--
Holger Kruse
[holger--rebol--com]
