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Ask HN: RPG Inventory Sorting Algorithm?

1 points by bloqs ↗ HN
Dear HN crowd.

I'm currently learning about algorithms, and I decided to think of a problem I encounter that I would like to solve. One such problem is when games (often RPGs) have a 'Tetris' style inventory system, with items of different shapes and sizes.

I have decided I would like to make a sorter for game I play, to help me quickly maximise my storage space.

However, after a preliminary google, I didn't find much in the way of resources for problems like this, so I assume my google-fu is weak.

Would anyone know of any examples, or preferably, underlying math/code to help me grasp this?

Thank you in advance!

4 comments

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verdverm
You might start with a greedy solution, i.e. take the biggest items first. Then explore other options as your google-fu hones in on good search terms for the problem.

Bin packing is a good search tree to go down, but you have a layout problem as well.

The Algorithm Design Manual as a large index of problems and algos that can help in finding analogies to your given problem.