non-deterministic
Not uniquely determined
Non-deterministic describes a process or system whose outcome cannot be predicted from its inputs alone—the same starting conditions may produce different results each time.
In computing, a non-deterministic algorithm might take different paths to solve a problem: The program's non-deterministic behavior made debugging difficult.
The term contrasts with deterministic, where identical inputs always yield identical outputs.
Lack of predictable pattern
- stochasticRandomly determined, statistically describable
- probabilisticBased on likelihood calculations
- Monte CarloProbability estimation through randomness
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
aleatory · randomized · sampling · distribution · likelihood · uncertainty · statistical · noise
Coexisting in multiple states
- entanglementState of being intertwined
- measurementDetermining size or amount
- wavefunctionQuantum state's mathematical representation
- collapseSudden structural failure
Heisenberg · observer effect · quantum computing · qubit · decoherence · indeterminacy · Copenhagen interpretation · Schrödinger
Finite problem-solving procedure
- Turing machineMathematical model of computation
- state machineModel with discrete states
- branchingSplitting into separate directions
- parallelismMatching structural elements
concurrency · oracle · transition · backtracking · verification · decidability · computability · reduction
Outcome depends on timing
- asynchronousNot happening together
- concurrencyOverlapping execution of tasks
- threadingPassing strand through opening
- timingArt of choosing moments
synchronization · deadlock · interleaving · scheduling · distributed · latency · semaphore · arbitration
Small inputs, disproportionate results
- strange attractorFractal pattern in chaos
- turbulenceChaotic flow patterns
- bifurcationDivision into two branches
- sensitivityResponsiveness to stimuli
unpredictability · nonlinearity · perturbation · feedback loops · cascades · emergence · self-organization · fractals
randomness
Lack of predictable pattern
- stochasticRandomly determined, statistically describable
- probabilisticBased on likelihood calculations
- Monte CarloProbability estimation through randomness
chance · aleatory · randomized · sampling · distribution · likelihood · uncertainty · statistical · noise · variance
superposition
Coexisting in multiple states
- entanglementState of being intertwined
- measurementDetermining size or amount
- wavefunctionQuantum state's mathematical representation
collapse · Heisenberg · observer effect · quantum computing · qubit · decoherence · indeterminacy · Copenhagen interpretation · Schrödinger · quantum state
algorithm
Finite problem-solving procedure
- Turing machineMathematical model of computation
- state machineModel with discrete states
- branchingSplitting into separate directions
parallelism · concurrency · oracle · transition · backtracking · verification · decidability · computability · reduction · tractable
race condition
Outcome depends on timing
- asynchronousNot happening together
- concurrencyOverlapping execution of tasks
- threadingPassing strand through opening
timing · synchronization · deadlock · interleaving · scheduling · distributed · latency · semaphore · arbitration
butterfly effect
Small inputs, disproportionate results
- strange attractorFractal pattern in chaos
- turbulenceChaotic flow patterns
- bifurcationDivision into two branches
sensitivity · unpredictability · nonlinearity · perturbation · feedback loops · cascades · emergence · self-organization · fractals · initial conditions
non-deterministicdeterministic
Completely caused by prior conditions
predictable · determined · predetermined · computable · decidable
non-deterministicdeterministic
Completely caused by prior conditions
ordered · consistent · invariant · reproducible · repeatable
non-deterministicdeterministic
Completely caused by prior conditions
determinism · fatalistic · necessitated · predestined · fated
deterministic, determine, determined, determining, determines, determiner, determiners, determination, determinate