Composition of an integer ($x_1+\cdots +x_k=N,x_i\ge 1$)

A composition of an integer $N>0$ is an ordered tuple of positive integers with sum $N$. Its length $k$ counts the parts. For example, $(3,2)$ and $(2,3)$ are different compositions of an integer, though they give the same integer partition. Stars and bars counts compositions of an integer with fixed length. ^[ref]

A weak composition of an integer $N\ge 0$ into $k\ge 1$ parts is an ordered tuple of nonnegative integers with sum $N$. Zero parts retain their positions: $(0,2,3)$ and $(2,0,3)$ differ. Fixing the length $k$ is essential when applying stars and bars, since inserting extra zero parts creates further tuples. ^[ref]