There is inconsistency in relative-distance instructions

[rafalkotowicz]

Topic: relative-distance instructions

If Tariq and Isla from example have degree_of_separation == 1, then Tariq and Uma (Isla's daughter) should have degree_of_separation == 2.

If this is not true then please explain why, because as for now instructions are inconsistent.
Best Regards,
Rafał Kotowicz

[BNAndras]

Could you elaborate on why Tariq and Uma should have a connection of 1?

[rafalkotowicz]

I confused Isla with Uma, sorry. Let me start again.

Let's start from exercise description: ""The degree of separation is defined as the shortest number of connections from one person to another."
Let's continue with examples:
The degree of separation between Tariq and Uma is 3 (Tariq → Helena → Isla → Uma)
The degree of separation between Uma and Isla is 1. My addition: (Isla → Helena → Isla) --- Why degree is "1" instead of 2?

First example is also not consistent with the test https://github.com/exercism/problem-specifications/blob/main/exercises/relative-distance/canonical-data.json#L128, where top node (branching parent) is presumably also omitted.

Shortest path from Dimitri to Fabio contains 11 nodes, 10 connections, but the answer is 9. I am guessing Fatima (parent of 'Khadija' and 'Liam') is not in the path for some reason. Full path:

    [  'Dimitri', 'Qi', 
      'Diego',   'Sofia',
      'Khadija', 'Fatima',
      'Liam',    'Tariq',
      'Farah',   'Sven',
      'Fabio']

BTW, thank you for quick replies.

[BNAndras]

I think this will be better discussed on the Exercism forums. This QA feature seems new, and you’ll get better guidance there since it’s an official support channel.

[rafalkotowicz]

Could you at least confirm/decline if you see inconsistency?

[BNAndras]

Yes, I believe Tariq → Helena → Isla → Uma should be Tariq → Isla → Uma in the instructions. Further discussion about potentially amending that should be on the Exercism forums so a consensus can be reached first about how to proceed.

[BNAndras]

Forum thread started at https://forum.exercism.org/t/incorrect-degrees-of-separation-in-relative-distance-instructions/17245