This chapter introduces an advanced decision-support software aimed at enhancing mechanized agricultural tillage practices. It emphasizes the necessity of detailed planning before sowing to efficiently utilize resources and prevent soil deterioration. The developed algorithm harnesses the power of compatibility matrices to analyze the complex interrelationships among various factors such as soil types, crop types, and machinery options. The study collected exhaustive data on tillage practices and uses this information to create compatibility matrices, enabling an intelligent algorithm to guide decision-making processes. The central feature of this software is its ability to generate a comprehensive tillage plan in natural language, serving as a detailed guide for farmers and other stakeholders. This algorithm is incorporated into a user-friendly web application, offering stakeholders an interactive platform for decision-making. The software is thoroughly validated by domain experts to ensure its reliability and accuracy.
Part of the book: Decision Support Systems (DSS) and Tools [Working title]
This study systematically evaluates the performance of the hashing algorithms SHA-2 and SHA-3 (in both 256-bit and 512-bit variants), as well as MD5, in generating and verifying a thousand-block chain to understand the computational costs associated with blockchain mining. Java-specific source code was developed to simulate key aspects of a blockchain back-end environment, focusing on block creation and validation. The five distinct hashing algorithm configurations were tested at varying levels of complexity, with performance measured by the duration of each test. The study reveals that SHA-3, despite producing stronger hash values, is slower than MD5 and SHA-2. An optimal balance between security and calculation time was achieved at a four-character complexity level. While higher complexity levels enhance security, they significantly reduce performance, deeming them suitable for systems with lower data processing needs. These findings can guide small and medium-sized businesses in understanding the computational costs of employing blockchain technologies.
Part of the book: Blockchain - Pioneering the Web3 Infrastructure for an Intelligent Future [Working title]