Simulations / Computer programs

Biosyn

Hello,

Would someone please give me a list of free programs that I can use to simulate probability experiments/distributions.

Such as drawing 5 cards randomly from a deck or rolling 5 sets of 20 sided dice.


Or do I have to learn R or something?

justsomeguy

If you're just looking to pick random numbers like in the examples you described, then there are plenty out there. random.org has a generic generator as well as specific examples like coin tosses, dice, and cards.

Or, are you looking for something that will analyze the results for you too?

Biosyn

Something that will analyze the results. As well as a program that I can set the number of trials there are, up to the millions.

justsomeguy

Sorry if I'm prying but if you have one program that's generating random numbers or distributions, and that same program analyzing them, all it's going to analyze is the output of it's own random number generator.

Is there something specific you want to accomplish?

Biosyn

I would like to be able to run a simulation similar to what this person has done:

http://www.physicsforums.com/showpos...5&postcount=26

justsomeguy

I see. The random.org card shuffler can do that -- but it's one draw at a time. You can tell it to draw as many cards as you like.

Why not ask Ed what software he used? I could write you something if he doesn't answer, it would be pretty simple.

Biosyn

I just sent Ed a message. :P

The thing with random.org is that I don't want to sit there and keep pressing the 'Again' button until I get a million trials. I would also have to record the outcomes by hand.

justsomeguy

Yeah I completely understand that. I'm not sure what specific 'card shuffling' software is out there that will do exactly what you want, but as I said, if he doesn't get back to you I can probably spin something up in perl pretty quick to duplicate his results.

Biosyn

Okay, thank you! I'll let you know if he replies or not.

Biosyn

Ed Collins replied. Thank you!