Grouping Files to Fill DVDs

[perlCrazy]

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[blokhead]

Write a program to group the ...

You'll get better replies on Perlmonks if you actually ask a question, instead of make a demand. You get especially bad replies if you just copy the text of your homework problem like this.

Must execute in reasonable time, answer does not need to be probably correct.

Oh good, because you cannot have both reasonable (i.e, polynomial) execution time and an exactly optimal answer to the problem you defined.¹ This is exactly the NP-complete bin-packing problem. If you Super Search around this site you can find more information about it (I've already given you a juicy keyword to search for). I know of at least 2 modules out there that could help you to solve this problem.

1: unless P=NP

[marto]

perlCrazy,

Did you use Super Search before posting? This question is asked from time to time. Nodes such as Copy spanning multiple DVDs should help you. Please read the PerlMonks FAQ and How do I post a question effectively? if you have not already done so. Your node title 'Need some idea on this' could be a lot better.

Update: Added links to PerlMonks FAQ and How do I post a question effectively? along with supporting text.

Martin

[revdiablo]

Packing things onto CD or DVD is a well-worn problem space. There are several modules available that can help you out. My favorite happens to be Algorithm::BinPack, but I may be biased (being the author and whatnot). The algorithm it uses is very simple, and if you can't use the module directly, you should be able to take the pertinent bits out without much of a problem.