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Subset Sum to Target

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Problem

A PhysicsX simulation pipeline produces a vector of integer feature contributions. Given the vector and a target value, determine whether any subset of elements sums exactly to the target. Each element may be selected at most once, and the empty subset is allowed.

Because the vector can contain positive, negative, and zero values, avoid assumptions that would enable simple greedy or two-pointer methods. Design an algorithm suitable for vectors with up to 40 elements.

Formal Specification

Implement has_subset_sum(nums, target), where nums is a list of integers and target is an integer. Return True if at least one subset of nums has sum equal to target; otherwise return False.

Constraints

  • 0 <= len(nums) <= 40
  • -10^9 <= nums[i] <= 10^9
  • -10^9 <= target <= 10^9
  • Each element may be selected at most once
  • The empty subset is valid

Function Signature

def has_subset_sum(nums, target):
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