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References: Randomness, Gaussian Distributions & Random Walk

  1. Pseudorandom number generator - Wikipedia - Mathematical basis of deterministic pseudo-random algorithms, seed values, and cycle periods. Crucial for reproducible generative artwork and procedural state generation in creative coding.

  2. Normal distribution - Wikipedia - Statistical theory of Gaussian bell curves, mean, variance, and standard deviation. Fundamental for generating naturalistic clustering and organic variations in creative coding sketches.

  3. Random walk - Wikipedia - Stochastic process modeling paths consisting of successive random steps, Brownian motion, and diffusion-limited aggregation. Invaluable for generative line drawings and terrain paths in computational art.

  4. The Nature of Code: Simulating Natural Systems with Processing (Second Edition) - Daniel Shiffman - Self-Published / No Starch Press - Shiffman introduced the classic Walker object archetype, using biased step probabilities and Lévy flights as the primary educational gateway into computational emergence and natural simulation.

  5. The Fractal Geometry of Nature - Benoit B. Mandelbrot - W. H. Freeman and Company - Mandelbrot pioneered fractional Brownian motion and stochastic fractal models, demonstrating how non-uniform random processes replicate natural coastlines and organic landscapes in visual computation.

  6. p5.js Random Functions Reference - p5.js Foundation - API documentation for random(), randomGaussian(), and randomSeed(), detailing numeric bounds, array sampling, and deterministic pseudo-random control in creative p5.js sketches.

  7. The Coding Train: Introduction to Random Walks - The Coding Train - Visual video lesson showing how to implement 2D random walkers, custom probability distributions, and Gaussian scatter plots in p5.js with live coding and explanations.

  8. Box-Muller Transform for Gaussian Randomness - Wikipedia - Algorithmic transformation method for generating pairs of independent standard normally distributed numbers from uniformly distributed random inputs in computational software systems.

  9. Generative Art and Emergence: Randomness in Design - Inconvergent (Anders Hoff) - Thoughtful essay and interactive visual essays on balancing deterministic rules with stochastic variation to create organic, lifelike generative structures and intricate lines.

  10. Lévy Flights and Heavy-Tailed Random Walks - The Nature of Code - Interactive chapter exploring power-law probability distributions and non-standard random walks that occasionally take large exploratory leaps across the canvas coordinate space.