I've been involved in a similar vein of discussion on a completely unrelated forum. I'm more of the inclination to answer the question as asked. But, the matter of interpretation is left to the reader. In other words, if the question is as specific as to state full requirements, then an answer is best given within those conditions. But if no requirements are given, then a good answer will involve the best interpretation.

This kind of relates to something I learned in my Automata Theory course at school. If the answer isn't readily available, then redefine the question. Since programs should be able to be reduced to mathematical representations, this is perfectly legal as long as the end result was arrived at using valid operations.

ALL HAIL BRAK!!!