Talk:Randomness
From Maze
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== Moved from Randomness Chapter on 6/16/2011 == | == Moved from Randomness Chapter on 6/16/2011 == | ||
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| + | In C64 BASIC, a simplified means of generating a random number might look like this: | ||
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| + | <pre> | ||
| + | 5 rem simplified random number generator | ||
| + | 6 a = 1 | ||
| + | 10 a = a*2 | ||
| + | 20 if a >= 256 then goto 30 | ||
| + | 25 | ||
| + | 30 random = a: print random: goto 10 | ||
| + | </pre> | ||
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| + | This program produces [insert string of random numbers generated by program] | ||
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An important feature of computing is the opposite of randomness, regularity. Computer chips differ greatly from the outer world in their orderliness. Unlike our beaches or the bumpy landmasses with weather on which we build our houses, the world inside chips is meticulously fabricated, symmetrical, isolated and predictable. In fact, its basis is one massive crystal grown from purified silicon. It is so perfect that it is difficult to create unanticipated behavior. | An important feature of computing is the opposite of randomness, regularity. Computer chips differ greatly from the outer world in their orderliness. Unlike our beaches or the bumpy landmasses with weather on which we build our houses, the world inside chips is meticulously fabricated, symmetrical, isolated and predictable. In fact, its basis is one massive crystal grown from purified silicon. It is so perfect that it is difficult to create unanticipated behavior. | ||
