Question

JAVA

For the code in which I implemented most of the quick select algorithm. Quick select is a O(n) time algorithm to find the n^th smallest value in an (unordered list). The following recursive algorithm finds then^th smallest element with an index bewtween left and right in list:

Code:

Integer QuickSelect(list, left, right, n) {
    if left = right // If we only have one index available
         return list[left]  // return the element at that index
    endif
    pivotIndex  ⇐ partition(list, left, right) // Select a pivot and order the elements between left & right 
                                    // so that smaller elements are at lower indices and larger elements are at larger indices
    // The pivot is in its final sorted position
    if n = pivotIndex
         return list[n] // Solution found!
    else if n  < pivotIndex
         return replaceWithRecursiveCall(list, left, pivotIndex - 1, n) // Recurse with the smaller values
    else
         return  replaceWithRecursiveCall(list, pivotIndex + 1, right, n) // Recurse with the greater values
    end if 

Answer 1

A multi-year effort to prevent hackers from altering computers while they boot up has largely failed because of lax application of preventive steps, researchers say, despite disclosures that flaws are being actively exploited.

In the latest sign that the problem persists, researchers at the federally funded MITRE lab said this week that many customers of Intel still had not adopted revised security designs Intel distributed in March after the MITRE team found new vulnerabilities in the start-up process.

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Intel’s point person on the issue, Bruce Monroe, said he did not know how many suppliers and computer makers had followed Intel’s recommendations.

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The glitches illustrates how well-funded spying programs as those exposed by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden can continue to succeed against targets that depend on a complex supply chain.

Long before Snowden’s documents began appearing in the media, professional technicians and US officials were concerned about the vulnerabilities that left computers severely exposed as they are turned on.

Years ago, then-US National Security Agency Director Keith Alexander privately urged the chief executives of major American technology companies to do something about the boot-up procedure known as the Basic Input/Output System, or BIOS.