Randomness
From Maze
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| − | An essential element of 10 PRINT CHR$(205.5+RND(1));: GOTO 10 is randomness; the program could not produce its mesmerizing visual effect without it. Randomness is built into the Commodore 64's BASIC programming language via the RND function. The RND function is not unique to the Commodore 64; it was present in the original Dartmouth BASIC, and similar random commands in computing can be traced back to the 1950s. In the case of the Commodore 64, it's not only BASIC that can supply random numbers. In the computer's ROM is its operating system, the intentionally misspelled KERNAL, which can be poked and prodded into generating random numbers, and the C64's sound chip, the SID, can also be harnessed to generate random numbers. It's randomness all the way down. | + | An essential element of 10 PRINT CHR$(205.5+RND(1));: GOTO 10 is randomness; the program could not produce its mesmerizing visual effect without it. Randomness is built into the Commodore 64's BASIC programming language via the RND function. The RND function is not unique to the Commodore 64; it was present in the original Dartmouth BASIC, and similar random commands in computing can be traced back to the 1950s. In the case of the Commodore 64, it's not only BASIC that can supply random numbers. In the computer's ROM is its operating system, the intentionally misspelled KERNAL, which can be poked and prodded into generating random numbers. The C64's sound chip, the SID, can also be harnessed to generate random numbers. It's randomness all the way down. |
This chapter explores the nature of randomness, both in and outside of computing. The role of randomness in literature and the arts is considered, as well as the origins of random number generation in modern mathematics, engineering, and computer science. Through a nuanced discussion of randomness, the chapter argues that the maze pattern which 10 PRINT produces is entwined with a history of aesthetic and utilitarian coin flips and random processes. | This chapter explores the nature of randomness, both in and outside of computing. The role of randomness in literature and the arts is considered, as well as the origins of random number generation in modern mathematics, engineering, and computer science. Through a nuanced discussion of randomness, the chapter argues that the maze pattern which 10 PRINT produces is entwined with a history of aesthetic and utilitarian coin flips and random processes. | ||
