Mathematics in LUA - Page 4

pspwner · #31 (**permalink**) 08-09-2007, 03:59

Ok, so its not exactly true per se, but its more random than using the default seed, 0. If you were not initialize the seed, you would get a set of "random numbers" that would repeat after a few thousand iterations. If you use a seed (being the time), you make it so you spit out a different sequence of "random numbers", which change with the time. In essence, none are truly random, but for our use, initializing the random seed as the time does enough.[addsig]

flyingnome · #32 (**permalink**) 08-09-2007, 17:23

sounds good.....
what if you passed (as seed) a call to the random number generator with os.time() as its seed into the random number generator function.
as in....

[code=lua]Math.randomseed(Math.randomseed(os.time()))[/code]

that number would probably be pretty random..... would it even work? dunno, never used LUA.

[addsig]

pspwner · #33 (**permalink**) 08-09-2007, 23:58

I think it wouldn't make a difference.[addsig]

superskull85 · #34 (**permalink**) 08-10-2007, 02:54

Hey, thanks for the information on math.randomseed(). I have learned about the function ever since I posted this tutorial, I will make an update to this guide soon.

Calling math.randomseed() inside another math.randomseed() I think wouldn't work. I have tested it and if I call:

[code=lua]math.randomseed (math.randomseed (os.time()))[/code]

LUA Player produces an error saying that it excepted a number and got no value. So I would assume that math.randomseed() doesn't produce a number, and therefore cannot be used within another math.randomseed(). I only tested it on LUA Player version 0.20 so I don't know if it would work differently for other LUA Player versions or not.[addsig]

thaiboy · #35 (**permalink**) 08-10-2007, 03:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by superskull85

Quote:

Originally Posted by thaiboy

I know that we both live in the U.S cause you stated so earlier.
And I also know that the time between certain states isn't extra far...
Like California is approx. 3 hours behind Texas....
When Algebra 2 and pre calc begin to actually help....Yay, glad I'm good at that, now I can do Lua stuff with it...I think.... :-?

If you want to create homebrew then Algebra will help you with understanding how variables will affect your code. If I time I might post an application of such knowledge. Basically if you have knowledge of algebra you will be able to rearrange an equation helping you find other variables based off the information you have. Algebra doesn't help that much though, I would say order of operations and knowledge of trigonometry will help you the most. You should also know how to problem solve, as this will help you find bugs in your code. I can't think of an example of how calculus will help you program but it will help you understand math, which in turn helps you program.

You will likely use a lot of the skills and material you learn in math classes when you are programming, especially if you want to create games. When creating a game you will likely have to calculate coordinates and directions for your characters to take, this can be done by studying math. Learning how to use math will help you in the long run, so if you are learning how to program I would suggest that you also study math.

alright thanks!
Wow, this is looking really complicated now.....[addsig]