Greatly Improved Shuffle Software to Randomize, Shuffle Numbers, Text, Files, Cards

I remembered Shuffle had a sort option. It didn't belong there, as sorting was well done in … well … Sorting! I was in process of removing the sort function from Shuffle. I noticed a kokostirk (sounds more interesting than quirk!) in the Shuffle Files function.

The most important file shuffling feature — V = Vertical Shuffle — had something I did NOT like. It didn't handle well especially the last line (e.g. lotto combination) in the input file. I perfected the V function.

I recommend strongly you download the new version of Shuffle and reshuffle your SIM files. You might be very happy with the current randomization of your SIM files. I still recommend you reshuffle using the new V function. 

Since I had reopened the Shuffle program, I decided to add new useful features. The program can now generate combinations for all kinds of lotto games, including Powerball, Mega Millions, Euromillions. The combinations tend to be like in real-life. That is, the program generates unordered numbers. In fact, the lottery commissions generate arrangements, not combinations. The lotto combinations are boxed arrangements (the numbers sorted in ascending order).

I f you want to work with the output files created by the new Shuffle, remember to sort the combinations first. Use Sorting, option H = Horizontal Sort.

The Shuffle application also goes one step further. It can generate randomly delayed arrangements, like real-life lottery drawings. You can see the entire process in the images that follow.

Hot Topic: Randomness, Random Numbers

I noticed in the stats of my Web site. Shuffle was the most popular program on my download site in one day. I updated also my Web page that presented software code to generate true random numbers. I broke up that page in two. Both pages became very popular overnight! Looks like many people instructed their browsers to alert on any updates to my Web page with random generating source code!

The first page presents the theory and algorithms (2) to generate true random numbers. The second page is source-code-only: a fully functional BASIC program (in PBCC 4.04).

• Random Numbers, Shuffle, Randomize: Theory, Algorithms, Software; BASIC Language Source Code Software to Generate True Random Numbers.

The source code does not present the functions to generate randomly delayed arrangements, like real-life lottery drawings. PowerBasic has a dedicated command:

SLEEP milliseconds

I don't know about other languages. Probably an empty FOR/NEXT loop can mimic SLEEP. Speaking of delay in randomization. Shuffle can generate random numbers at the same speed regardless of PC or numbers per combination. It takes the same time to generate 6 of 49 numbers, or 49 of 49. The 49 from 49 case is actually a permutation, not an arrangement.

* 47 40 7 33 14 11 37 39 1 19 13 2 48 35 28 41 32 45 44 3 30 42 12 38 6 4 9 27 10 46 15 43 5 34 8 20 26 21 23 18 16 49 22 25 29 31 17 36 24
* 39 45 31 49 38 17 26 10 33 30 44 41 25 19 34 22 29 43 2 1 16 4 5 48 27 9 18 3 40 35 6 42 28 46 32 12 20 11 7 21 14 15 24 23 8 13 36 47 37
* 15 3 39 49 2 12 23 25 21 16 44 26 1 46 34 48 41 27 47 38 32 29 45 42 8 19 43 13 17 20 28 4 40 31 10 36 37 30 18 22 11 24 6 7 5 35 9 33 14
* 22 35 12 43 6 37 24 27 18 25 19 42 34 49 9 36 33 46 47 41 20 29 30 28 5 10 38 48 15 21 39 23 2 14 7 4 3 40 11 1 32 13 17 44 16 8 45 26 31
* 49 44 9 47 46 23 22 39 34 16 41 42 31 35 15 5 43 36 2 12 3 28 7 37 6 29 13 30 4 25 21 24 27 33 20 40 48 38 11 17 8 26 14 1 10 19 45 18 32

Randominus vobiscum!

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