evaluate_base_n.rb

max_precise = 10 ** Float::DIG

last_best = 10

2.upto(256) do |base|
  total = base
  bits = 0
  power2 = 1
  chars = 1

  results = []

  loop do
    while power2*2 <= total
      power2 *= 2
      bits += 1
    end

    if bits >= 8
      results << {chars:,bytes: bits/8,  bits:, waste: chars/(bits/8).to_f}
    end

    break if total*base > max_precise

    total = total * base
    chars += 1
  end

  optimal = results.min_by{|r| r[:waste]}
  if optimal[:waste] < last_best
    puts "\"#{"% 7s" % "Base#{base}"}: #{"%2i" % optimal[:bytes]} => #{"%2d" % optimal[:chars]}\",#{optimal[:waste]}"
    last_best = optimal[:waste]
  end
end