Non-determinism

[Tomasz Ciolek]

Okay, here is the problem as I see it:

The algorithm is deterministic - know exactly what it will do next and what conditions are present at any given point in time.

The overall result is not. It is probabilitic, and the probalilities are 1:2^128 or something of that order, but still, there is an element of chance.

> copy of A and it isn't, then how can the algothrim be considered
> deterministic?

See above. Given the conditions of the inputs we can always and with
fullcertainty calculate what the algorithm will do next. Step by step.
each and every time.

The that that te result has an element of uncertainy involved in it -
that is beacuse of the tools we choose to employ.

Please, do not confuse the deterministic behaviour of the tools with the
final result.

<rant>
In all of the computing we rely on, what i would call calculated risk of
failure. The risks are small, but in an overall alaysis they are there.
Hardware might fail. Due to vagaries of physics and the nature of the
universe something might go wrong at some point or another. No conmplete computer system in existance (software and hardware) - no matter how trivial - is compleetely determinitsic. The best we can do is minimise the risks and avoid situations that introduce highly non-deterministic components into our systems. 

Logically and mathematically  point of view, the hevaiour of the rsync alogorith and the rsync program is deterministic. It will always beahve the same way, given the same imputs. The underlying hardware and OS might not, and that the problem. (if one was insane one could write a formal proof of correctness for rsync alogirthm and prove it will lways work - im not even going to try - inm not that insane)
</rant>

Regards
Tomasz Ciolek
-- 
Tomasz M. Ciolek	*
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