Aodh Macs Blog

Pseudo-random numbers in C Pseudo-random numbers in C: Introduction: In Ancient Greek, the adjective: ψευδής [1] . or, when transliterated: ‘pseudḗs’ means: ‘lying,’ ‘false,’ ‘fictitious,’ ‘sham’ [2] . . A classical computer is a deterministic machine, and, in and of itself, cannot generate a truly random number.  A classical computer, in and of itself, can only generate a pseudo-random number. [3] . A pseudo-random number is not a true random number – its having been g...

Definition Lists in HTML 5 Definition Lists in HTML 5:      Figure 1:   An HTML 5 logo that I designed in SVG      Figure 2:   the SVG image, in  Figure 1:   when exported as a .PNG file. There are three types of list elements employed in HTML 5.  These are: Ordered Lists; Unordered Lists; Definition Lists. Below is an example of a definition list.  I took the definition of the mathematical term: ...

Provinces of Ireland Nested Unordered List Example      Figure 1:   A Flag of Ireland  that I scripted in SVG. This is the flag-of-Ireland image exported as a PNG file.      Figure 2:   Above is the flag-...

     Figure 2:   The Natural Number Symbol that I scripted in SVG. The Natural Number symbol is a blackboard boldface ‘N’.      Figure 2:   The Natural Number Symbol exported as a PNG file. The set of Natural numbers can refer either to the set of non-negative integers, i.e.: {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, ...} or to the set of positive integers, i.e.: {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ...} The term, ‘natural numbers,’ refers to quantities observed in nature. One can have two apples; three pears or five bananas; how...

Introduction to Modern Geometry Modern Geometry: The Directed Line Segment In Euclidean Geometry, line segments possess only magnitude, and not direction. A B      Figure 1:   In Euclidean Geometry, only the magnitude of line segments is considered. As we can see in Figure 1 , in Euclidean Geometry, the line segment: |AB| would be considered equal to the line segment: |BA| . However, this is not the case with Modern Geometry. In Modern Geometry, line segments not only possess magnitude, but direction also. A B      Figure 2:   In Modern Geometry, line segments possess direction as well as magnitude. In Modern Geometry: |AB| is termed: ‘a directed line segment’ . ...

Figure 1:  I drew this pencil sketch of Aristotle. I consider Aristotle to be the great grandfather of computer Science.  To elaborate upon this is beyond the scope of this blogpost.  However, I consider this to be a huge motivating factor for my learning Greek:  should I ever complete a PhD in Computer Science, then this could make for an excellent subject for a thesis.  I hope to be able to read Aristotle in the original Greek, one day. I have read the philosophical novel, Atlas Shrugged  (1957) by Ayn Rand.  There is an Aristotelian theme running through the book.  Chapters are named after ideas from this philosopher. The Book is divided into three parts.  Part III is entitled: A is A .  This is a reference to the law of identity.  I believe that the law of identity, were it to be expressed in the Greek of Aristotle, would be: ἄλφα ἔστιν ἄλφα , or, when transliterated: álpha éstin...