http://qs321.pair.com?node_id=723303


in reply to [Fun] Exquisite Corpse in Perl?

I don't believe programs can handle as much randomness as you're suggesting...

Perhaps an alternative scheme;
  1. Predefined functions Munge() and MungeConsistently() will be available.
    • Munge calls MungeConsistently, but passes in the count of how many calls to Munge have already been made, so it is essentially random but still reproducible.
    • MungeConsistently takes a number as its first parameter, which will be used to pick the sub to call.
  2. Everybody is given a random number from 0..1, indicating their position in the program. (so that early code can do more input, and late code can do more output)
  3. PASS 1: Everybody then submits a small block of code that does something "useful", PLUS a small subroutine to be included in the Munges
  4. PASS 2: Each person is given the task of gluing together two adjacent pieces of code, NOT including their own. (One player is chosen to glue the command line to the first block by choosing the input parameters, so there are N glues for N players)
The second pass to glue things together should change the result from a twitching mass of random code to something that at least runs to completion. (I hope)