Thread: Looking for someone to program an algorithm for me

I'd like to create an algorithm for an idea I have, and wanted to see if anyone on this forum has experience doing this. Not looking for random programmers to do this- want someone who would know exactly how to program something based on an algorithm. Please let me know your experience, examples of algorithms you've worked with before, and what you're doing currently. Please reply if you think this is you, and let me know your experience.

Originally Posted by Darkside

You'll find lots of good programmers at stack overflow who would do this for you for free, as that's the whole purpose of that site; it's sort of like a yahoo answers for programming issues.

It seems like it's programmers posting issues- they're also looking to do things from scratch for free? If so, I'm curious why?

To be clear, I'm not a programmer at all and am looking for someone else to do all of it, not teach me how to do it.

If stack overflow still qualifies, let me know how I would do this without publicly posting the algorithm I want created.

Originally Posted by Darkside

They do it for free because the more questions they answer, the higher they rank. Stack Overflow is used by employers to hire good programmers, so the ones who rank highest tend to get hired more than those who only answer a few questions.

Interesting, makes sense.

Originally Posted by Darkside

Most of them won't do big projects however you can find a few who might. I once had a guy work out a programming issue for me over MSN messenger, and it took over 2 hours; he didn't receive any payment from me nor did he ask.

The best solution for you though, since you seem to desire secrecy, is to find someone who is good at programming and give them equity in your company or product; that way you don't have to pay them but they benefit from whatever they help you to create.

It's not for any sort of company, this would be for personal use. I'm perfectly fine with paying someone- what do you suggest- giving a broad description of the algorithm I'm looking to create on there and private messaging ones who respond well, or will that not get me the answers I'll need based on their model?(I assume it's more public)

I can do it for free, Bill.

1:$age=input(snowbank"Enter your age: ")
2:$target_age=$age*3
3:search(database)where(woman_dancer[$age])=$target_age
4utput=voice(snowbank"Hi! Do you want to dance?")
5:loop

Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by bflbob

I can do it for free, Bill.

1:$age=input(snowbank"Enter your age: ")
2:$target_age=$age*3
3:search(database)where(woman_dancer[$age])=$target_age
4utput=voice(snowbank"Hi! Do you want to dance?")
5:loop

Hope this helps.

You forgot the alcohol_percentage variable which modifies the $target_age formula

My work is never done...

An algorithm is generic in nature. Asking for an algorithm is like asking an engineer to design a house on paper.
The implementation is something else. What makes a good programmer is one who has solid knowledge of algorithm and data structures and can combine well proven practices to solve problems. Most programmers can just do basic work if given the blue print. So if you need more than the implementation, then you need to find more than a programmer but someone that is also a good software architect. For example, ten different programmers could implement a solution to your problem using different algorithms, you will get the same result, but perhaps different performance. You might not even be able to tell who is better unless they really do some testing. So if you need something fast and to scale, you need someone that is good, but as a non programmer, how will you know what is good? This is why there are positions for software architects, they design and flesh out the idea on paper, decide which algorithms, data structures and systems that will be used, then the blueprint, software specifications is passed down to the code monkeys ahem programmers. Get someone that is experienced on your side, even if they won't do the work, they can just help you review what others are doing so you know you are not getting the short end of the stick. Good luck!