Combinatorics too slow

[depial]

I've found out that the source code on the Combinatorics repo is fast, but they haven't released a new version with the updates, so the public version is slow.

Considering the permutations.jl which was in alphametics was pulled from the code in the repo some time ago (Nov 2021 is the original PR to add the exercise), I'm not holding my breath that they will release a new version soon (although there is a PR open with this suggestion, being open since September).

Should we continue with Combinatorics, potentially look into another package or just ditch it?

Combinat.jl is one possibility.

[depial]

It appears that Combinatorics v1.0.3 had a change to it which slowed down permutations greatly, but this isn't present in 1.0.2.

Could we change the version we're using to v1.0.2?

This would probably be good enough until the next release.

[colinleach]

Could we change the version we're using to v1.0.2?

Sure, that should be fairly straightforward. Do you want to do it, or should I?

Combinat.jl is one possibility.

Several years old, but still signs of active maintenance in the past month - all positive. It could be at least worth a closer look.

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Apologies for being a bit absent recently, there's been other stuff going on (nothing very serious, fortunately).

[depial]

Sure, that should be fairly straightforward. Do you want to do it, or should I?

If you could take care of it, it'd be great. I'm a bit worried I'd end up missing something.

It could be at least worth a closer look.

The pieces of the story behind Combinatorics.jl are slowly falling into place... I thought it had just stopped being updated, but not really. The offending PR which slowed down permutations was merged back in Feb 2023, but I'm unsure of when v1.0.3 was actually released. An issue has been open since June highlighting the problem with permutations, and, though a fix has been pushed, the PR I pointed out above has been sitting since September... So, action is happening, just slower than I would have expected, but faster than I had initially feared (I was thinking nothing had changed since 2021).

All in all, I would like to stick with Combinatorics.jl if possible, since it seems like the "standard" installation of this suite of functions, so I feel most students would naturally gravitate to it.

Apologies for being a bit absent recently

No worries! Your time is strictly yours. I do hope you're alright though!

[colinleach]

If you could take care of it, it'd be great.

It might take a day or two, but no problem.

would like to stick with Combinatorics.jl if possible

Agree.

I do hope you're alright

I'm OK (modulo a few sneezes and snuffles). There was some family stuff back in England.