function idx=firstValue(v)
%testIt  a test function to play with ideas
%
% takes a vector v and returns an index
%
% the definition is constantly changing as we
% try out different ideas
%
% P. Conrad for CISC106 10/11/06

firstValue = v(1);
for k = 1:length(v)

  if (v(k) == firstValue)
    % do nothing
  else  
    idx = k;
    return;
  end;

end;

% Postcondition: every value must be equal to
% the firstValue.  Otherwise, I would have returned already,
% since I tested v(k) against firstValue for every value of k

idx = 0;
end