The 'line reader' version of the code (not shown in the article) was actually a lot easier to read than either one of these but the article was already over long. I do have that version, if anybody is interested I can add it.
i'm sure you have all your intermediate steps as well. i really liked an example i've seen a while ago that described an optimization process in git history. you'd simply check out the right step and have a look for yourself.
