Simple probable statements

The following sections explain the basics of how statements can be made to execute probabilistically at runtime in samosa.

Specifying the probability

The ?[<int expression>] at the end of the statement can be used to specify the probability of the execution of the statement.

The <int expression> is an expression (evaluated at runtime) that evaluates to an int between 0 and 100. It can technically have values more than 100 or less than 0 too, but a value of more than 100 is equivalent to 100 and a value less than 0 is equivalent to 0.

Probabilistically execute a single statement

Using the syntax: ?[<int expression>]... at the end of a statement (after the statement end marker, .) would specify the chances of executing that statement. Higher the value yielded by the expression, more the chances of the statement getting executed.

Example

The probability can be a constant:

<samosa>
("This line is printed 35% of times.") -> putout. ?[35]...
</samosa>

or be something that is evaluated at runtime:

<samosa>
bro, prob: int = () -> putinInt.
(prob) -> putout. ?[prob + 5]...
</samosa>

Probabilistically execute a statement or an alternative

You can specify an alternate statement to be executed if a statement does not get executed due to probability factors.

The syntax for the same is: <statement>. ?[<int expression>] <statement>.

Example

<samosa>
("This line is printed 35% of times.") -> putout. ?[35] 
    ("And this line is printed the rest of the time.") -> putout.
</samosa>

Probabilistic compound statements

Samosa also plans to support probabilistic if and while statements.

Probabilistic compound statements are currently under development. There will be other features added in too to assist probabilistic execution (especially conditional probabilities).