sqriter.py

#!/usr/bin/env python
#
# Iterations getting closer to the square root
# Author:  Yotam Medini  [email protected] -- Created: 2005/November/08

import sys

if len(sys.argv) != 1 + 2:
    sys.stderr.write("Usage: %s <number to get root of>  <#-iteration>" %
                     sys.argv[0])
    sys.exit(1)
    
a = float(sys.argv[1])
n = int(sys.argv[2])

m = 1.
M = a
i = 0
while i < n:
    x1 = (m + M)/2.
    sys.stdout.write("Iteration[%d] = %f\n" % (i, x1))
    if x1 * x1 < a:
        m = x1
    else:
        M = x1
    i = i + 1

sys.exit(0)