Maybe this question is not very smart but I really wanna learn this thing. also, I need someone who is familiar with printing 42 problem and zero program problem.
This is the context:
Consider the problem of determining whether a number belongs to a set. This problem is easy for the following sets:
- The set of odd numbers
- The set of even numbers
- The set of prime numbers
- The set of numbers that can be written as a sum of five square numbers
For every one of these sets, a program can be written that accepts a whole number as input and—depending on whether the input is in that set—outputs a yes or no answer.
However, there are other types of sets. This chapter has shown that there are certain sets of whole numbers for which no computer program can be written that can decide if they are in the set or not. For example,
- The set of numbers of programs that will output 42 for some input
- The set of numbers of programs that always output a 0"
The Outer Limits of Reason: What Science, Mathematics, and Logic Cannot Tell Us by Noson S. Yanofsky
First of all, I should say that I am a self-learning in this area, so I don't have very good knowledge about this stuff. so, in this context, I don't get two parts. If anyone could help me, I would very appreciate it.
the first part is: "there are other types of sets. This chapter has shown that there are certain sets of whole numbers for which no computer program can be written that can decide if they are in the set or not." what are they. is the writer talking about inputs/ arbitrary whole numbers or certain sets of whole numbers?
second, I don't get this part at all and somewhat, this part is making me confused about the former question:
- The set of numbers of programs that will output 42 for some input
- The set of numbers of programs that always output a 0"
if you rewrite this part in another form, I think I would comprehend it because I think this is a grammatical confusion. thank you in advance