[CrackMonkey] Beaujolais to Lisp!

[Paul Cameron]

On Tue, Jul 17, 2001 at 10:25:18PM -0700, Mr. Bad wrote:
> >>>>> "PC" == Paul Cameron <1paul at optushome.com.au> writes:
> 
>     Me> It's actually a pretty fun proof.
> 
>     PC> Yes. perlfaq5.
> 
>     PC> Blah a vous.
> 
> Well, wait a sec:
> 
> ---8<---
>        How do I select a random line from a file?
> 
>        Here's an algorithm from the Camel Book:
> 
>            srand;
>            rand($.) < 1 && ($line = $_) while <>;
> 
>        This has a significant advantage in space over reading the
>        whole file in.  A simple proof by induction is available
>        upon request if you doubt the algorithm's correctness.
> ---8<---
> 
> It actually doesn't have the proof in it.

No, you have to ask Tom Christiansen for it.

Paul.