Combinatorics (VIC 20) by Huffelduff

Title: Combinatorics

Platform: Unexpanded Commodore VIC-20

Video: PAL/NTSC

 Interface: Keyboard only (spacebar = repeat combinatorical generation)

Game type: 0 Player game

Written by: E W de Villiers

 Released: 2 March 2025

The Plot: 

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Combinatorics is a branch of mathematics that studies the possible combinations of things/elements. In programming this is and has been used to help create everything from game dialogue systems to procedural systems for mazes. Some basic uses are demonstrated here with three example programs:

1. The Nostradamus generator - Generates randomized four line "prophecies" in a non-accurate style of the 16th-century magus.

2. Haiku Poem generator - A haiku poem generator.

3. A supporting character trait generator for when one is writing a novel.

Mechanics:

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spacebar = rerun the text generation routine.

Notes: 

The Combinatorics image for the cover was created using Stable Diffusion.

The analysis section was generated by Deepseek AI and moderated by me.

Note on AI Assistance:

This documentation was created with the assistance of Deepseek AI, an artificial intelligence tool, which helped analyze the program, identify spelling and grammar issues, and fill in missing documentation sections. The final content was reviewed and moderated by me to ensure accuracy and alignment with the project's goals. The use of AI significantly reduced the time required for this task, allowing for a more efficient workflow. - This "Note on AI Assistance" was generated by Deepseek AI

SOURCE CODE for: nostradamus.prg

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <- 80 Character line limit
0goS8:?cH(147);cH(158):pO36879,76:dIa$(5):dIb$(5):dIc$(5):dId$(5):dIe$(5)
1fOa=0to5:rEa$(a),b$(a),c$(a),d$(a),e$(a):nE:?a$(fnf(0)):?:?"the ";b$(fnf(0)):?
2?"as the ";:?c$(fnf(0));" ";d$(fnf(0)):?:?e$(fnf(0)):?:?:?:?cH(144);"again?"
3wait 197,64,64:rU:dA"when serpents rise,","king falls","lion","attacks"
4dA"in the land of ice.","the blood moon waxes,","stars align","wolf","speaks"
5dA"beneath the black sun.","when heaven trembles,","waters boil","dragon"
6dA"mourns","across the raging sea.","in the age of chaos,","earth shakes"
7dA"raven","laments","in the hollowed peak.","the seal is broken,","jester lies"
8dEfnf(i)=int(rN(i)*24)/4:reT:dA"eagle","scoffs","at the darkest hour."
9dA"in a time of want,","queen is banished","boar","pauses","in the desert."

Combinations: rows^language snippets = total combinations

                                 6^5 = 7,776

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Variables used within the program:

----------------------------------

- a$, b$, c$, d$, e$: String arrays storing different parts of the generated text.

- a: Loop variable used in the FOR loop.

- i: Parameter for the f function, which generates a random index.

- f(i): Function that generates a random number between 0 and 5, used to select elements from the arrays.

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Analysis:

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LINE: 0

- Initializes the program by jumping to subroutine at line 8, define the random function and return to line 0.

- Clear the screen, set colors, and initialize string arrays.

LINE: 1

- Reads data into the arrays and prints a random element from a$ and b$.

LINE: 2

- Prints "as the" followed by random elements from c$ and d$, then prints a random element from e$.

LINE: 3

- Waits for the spacebar to be pressed and restarts the program.

  Contains data statements for the arrays.

LINES 4-9

- Additional data statements for the arrays, providing more text snippets for the generator.

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PS. The other two programs follow the same pattern but I did not use functions because it was not necessary. The reason for its use was due to space considerations (The 80 character line limit).

SOURCE CODE for: haiku10.prg

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0?cH(147);cH(144):?:?:?:?:pO36879,25:dIa$(7):dIb$(7):dIc$(7):fOa=0to6
1rEa$(a),b$(a),c$(a):nE:?a$(int(rN(1)*7)):?:?b$(int(rN(2)*7)):?
2?c$(int(rN(3)*7)):?:?:?:?cH(156);"again?":wait 197,64,64:rU
3dA"a gentle breeze","whispers through the  pines","peace fills the air"
4dA"the moon glows bright","reflections dance on  the lake","time stands still"
5dA"cherry blossoms fall","golden leaves drift   slowly","winters cold embrace"
6dA"soft rain whispers","fireflies glow in the dark","the world feels calm"
7dA"frost on the ground","a lone wolf howls at  night","dreams take flight"
8dA"waves kiss the shore","thunder rumbles in thedistance","hope blooms anew"
9dA"stars in the sky","shadows stretch acrossthe sand","silence blankets all"

Combinations: data rows^poem lines = total poem combinations

                 07^03 = 343

Haiku: 5-7-5 syllables

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SOURCE CODE for: supportchar.prg

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0?cH(147);cH(5):?:?::pO36879,42:dIa$(7):dIb$(7):dIc$(7):fOa=0to6
1rEa$(a),b$(a),c$(a):nE:?"occupation:":?a$(int(rN(0)*7)):?:?"hobby:"
2?b$(int(rN(0)*7)):?:?"secret:":?c$(int(rN(0)*7)):?:?:?:?"again?":wA 197,64,64
3rU:dA"postal worker","born with a 3rd nipple","secretly royalty"
4dA"pet psychologist","creates art from trash","runaway from a cult"
5dA"plumber","collects lost socks","hiding a magical arti-fact"
6dA"boardgame developer","rescues stray animals","fugitive but innocent"
7dA"snake milker","collects old diaries","they're mildly psychic"
8dA"accountant","makes miniature cities","they're a retired spy"
9dA"lounge singer","talks to plants","they're a stuck time  traveller"

Combinations: data rows^attribute lines = total character trait combinations

                      07^03 = 343

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