You're using wrong numbers
This post has been imported from my previous blog. I did my best to parse XML properly, but it might have some errors.
If you find one, send a Pull Request.
TL;DR
When testing, we often use constants to show that a number used in two places has the same meaning, not only value. How can we apply this when writing documentation or giving examples of algorithms you want to use?
Meaningless enough
Consider the first example
2 - 1 = 1 1 - 0 = 1 1 + 1 = 2
Can you guess which “ones” were added at the last line? They are results of the first two equations. Or maybe not? Let’s take a look at the slightly altered example
12342 - 1 = 12341 1 - 33333 = 33332 1 + 1 = 2
Can you now see which ones were used? It’s obvious.
Number as identifiers
When working with numbers you may try to use them as identifiers. When a value is needed only for a local calculation make it meaningless enough. A reader won’t spend much time on it. They will read and remember one-digit numbers and apply them in following lines
Summary
Writing documentation isn’t an easy task. Writing good documentation is even harder. When dealing with algorithms, making numbers unique can improve the overall understanding of samples you provide.
