request for script(programmers please read)
 

Hey, guys, you probably don't remember me, but I'm back, and I have a request.

In about 3 weeks, I'll have reached my goal of 1,000,000 points in Find-a-Drug, at which point I want to come back to where I left off in Sierpenski Base-5 sieving.

Would it be possible for someone to make a script, something simple, where I can have the sieve client sieve to a certain amount of time per factor, then immediately go to the next assigned k? I don't know how much time it would take to do this, but if someone could look into doing this and/or tell me it's too much trouble, I'd appreciate it.

Welcome back :-)

As you can see this project is moving along quite slowly, I guess that most people see it as a part time project where they can do a little bit of work now and then for a change from their main projects. That is what I do anyway, most of my computer time is spend doing ECM on the Cunningham tables, but it takes a long time to find factors (I average about two months between discoveries), so finding the odd prime here is fun. I am still looking for my first top 5000 prime though.

Any sieving you do will be welcome, but you should keep in mind that it could be a while before anyone gets around to doing the PRP tests. Even though your machine is more efficient at the sieving step it might still be worth considering some PRP testing too, at least for the small n in the sieve.

I had a brief look at how to get NewPGen to move on to the next k, it is easy in Linux - just queue up the jobs with the batch command - but the Windows version of NewPGen doesn't seem to recognise any command line parameters, the only way to input the starting values is via the interactive dialog.

version 2.82 has an option to continue sieving the last file upon startup, so I tried starting NewPGen a few times in different directories, filling out the dialog, starting sieving, then stopping and exiting. The idea was to write a script to visit each directory in turn and restart NewPGen, which should then continue sieving. But ticking the 'Automatically continue sieving the last file on startup' box doesn't seem to have any effect, it just starts with a fresh dialog instead of continuing with the last file.

Maybe you or someone else can get this to work? If so then a script would not be too hard to write.

[quote="geoff"]The 'sieve until the rate is x seconds per n' allows for the weight differences automatically, as lighter candidates will dry up earlier. You can get NewPGen to automatically start prp testing with PFGW once it finishes sieving so that no machine time is wasted, or run another task at lower priority that will take over once NewPGen stops.[/quote]This solution, which you wrote in another thread is probably the best choice, although a small amount of babysitting will obviously be necessary.

I'll have to think about the PRPing idea, my Sempron's 256K cache might make it a bad idea.

script
 

[QUOTE]Would it be possible for someone to make a script, something simple, where I can have the sieve client sieve to a certain amount of time per factor, then immediately go to the next assigned k? I don't know how much time it would take to do this, but if someone could look into doing this and/or tell me it's too much trouble, I'd appreciate it.[/QUOTE]

Sure! I'd be happy to help you out. It sounds easy for me. (Windows)
The basic routines are already within my program RMA.
I should have some time to cut them out in the next couple days.
Please list any additional behaviours you would like, or user interface controls.



[QUOTE]- but the Windows version of NewPGen doesn't seem to recognise any command line parameters, the only way to input the starting values is via the interactive dialog.[/QUOTE]

I know, I tried the same route and ended up sending virtual keys.

[QUOTE=TTn]Sure! I'd be happy to help you out. It sounds easy for me. (Windows)
The basic routines are already within my program RMA.
I should have some time to cut them out in the next couple days.
Please list any additional behaviours you would like, or user interface controls.
[/QUOTE]WOW! After all this time I didn't expect an answer.

In order of importance:

(1) Easily understood instructions. If you, TTn, have to make a custom program each time, then tell me. Otherwise, I'd appreciate easy instructions.

(2) Mostly, I'd like to be able to do things in a chain. Basically, the ability to set sieving and prp limits is what I want. It would be nice if I could, for example, sieve a number to an hour a factor, then send it to prp to a set amount with a window if it finds a potential prime. And if that prp gets to a set amount, another commandthat's either more sieving or prping a different number.

Essentially I want a chain of commands having to with sieving and prping, and when one condition is met it goes to the next one. And if a prime is found, a window opens up to tell me(this might happen anyway with prp).

Lastly, the program doesn't have to do it's thing immediately, if it's helpful to you, it can check the status every minute or so before deciding what to do.

GSAbeta
 

The instructions should be self explanitory, but I know what you are getting at. Tooltips is one of the best ways to display a control's instructions.
RMA has the ability to set sieving and prp limits, and the other behaviours you listed.
I started an outline by copying RMA as another project, and then eliminated non essential rma functions.
The user interface looks somewhat similar. I have called it GSA unless you have a better name?
This stands for General Sieving Algorithm which will allow the user to customize their control over the existing applications.

My goal here is, to allow many variations in sieving/prp/LLRing automation.
Thus, allowing the powerfull engines that already exist, to be harnessed by others in different ways.

When a prime is found there is an event qued up to play a wave file, and you'll be able to customize the next event/s.
Since it virtually runs at idle, the program will start immediately unless you configure otherwise. Status is updated on screen.


Right now a simple beta is available here in the files section(members)
[url]http://groups.yahoo.com/group/primeform/[/url]
Look for the RMA folder, and find the executable.
Read the installation instruction in the folder for Option 3.
It will have more events that can be enabled or disabled, and the ability to put them in the sequence you want. I just have'nt had much time on it.

Thanks Ttn, I'll check it out.