Default Rules: Random
What is random defined as on this site? How are answers allowed to handle random chance?
2 answers
You are accessing this answer with a direct link, so it's being shown above all other answers regardless of its score. You can return to the normal view.
Every outcome must be possible
For example, if the challenge requires a random number from 1-5, all 5 numbers must be possible. It does not need to be uniformly random (unless otherwise specified) - all 5 numbers may have different probabilities of occurring, but they all must have a nonzero probability.
(At any given point in time, too, so answers that rely being past certain times/dates for randomness do not work either)
0 comment threads
My thoughts on the matter
Does randomness need to be uniform?
Nope, although it has to follow the specifications of the challenge (but if the challenge is too demanding with its randomness you may freely vote on the matter).
Can you use unseeded PRNG?
For functions, sure thing, but for programs not at all - programs would create the same output every time and thus not be random.
Can you use user input as a source of randomness (eg PRNG seed)?
Not at all - the only input which should be used is input which the challenge mentions and randomness can usually be gained through other means. If all randomness must be gained through user input, your language is incapable of giving "true" randomness (as far as that would be true to determinists) and thus should not compete.
Should we treat all languages as equals in this regard or be forgiving to languages with lesser randomness capability?
Treat them as equals. No good ever comes from compromising to other languages, as it just introduces loopholes that other languages can abuse.
Are these rules eternal and universal?
Nope... if your challenge is good enough. Rules should only be broken for challenges which have a lot of thought put behind them to make them work in spite of the rule breaking.
0 comment threads
0 comment threads