pydie 0.2.4

Generate a random roll from a n-number of an n-sided die.

Uses ‘quantum‘ random numbers to generate a result from an n-numbered ‘roll’ from an n-sided die adding any specified modifiers.

Dependencies

1. Docopt – Command Line Interface

Installation

Install pip? See: How to install Pip.

Then simply:

pip install pydie

Usage

You can use this package from the cli or within python.

To use it within python:

import pydie

pydie.roll('1d3', '2d6', '3d12m+2')

# should return something like:
# [
#   {
#     'raw': [1],
#     'modifiers': [],
#     'multiplier': '1',
#     'die': '3',
#     'rolls': [1],
#     'argv': '1d3'
#   },
#   {
#     'raw': [1, 1],
#     'modifiers': [],
#     'multiplier': '2',
#     'die': '6',
#     'rolls': [1, 1],
#     'argv': '2d6'
#   },
#   {
#     'raw': [1, 12, 5],
#     'modifiers': ['+2'],
#     'multiplier': '3',
#     'die': '12',
#     'rolls': [3, 14, 7],
#     'argv': '3d12m+2'
#   }
# ]

Current cli usage pattern:

Note: The command arguments have been simplified since the last version (0.1.7). In fact, there are no arguments at all! The argv is now super simple, see the usage below for examples.

"""Usage:
    pydie roll [-r|--result-info] <roll>...
    pydie (-v | --version)
    pydie (-h | --help)

    Description:

        Generate a random n-sided for n-die roles.

    Commands:

        roll  Roll any kind of die to receive a randomized dice roll.

              - Roll command format {multiplier}{die}[m{modifiers}]...
              - Multipler is required, min 1; 0 will cause error
              - "m" is required when specifying modifiers
              - "+", plus, or "-", minus, is required before each modifier

    Examples:

        1d3                (single roll no mods)
        2d4m+1             (single roll mod)
        3d6m-1+3           (single roll with multi-mods)
        4d8m+2 5d12m+1-2+3 (multi roll, separated with a space)

    Options:
        -r --result-info    Display full result information (optional)
        -v --version        Display the version number
        -h --help           Display this screen
"""

Backstory

“Goddamnit! I rolled a 1 again!”

Unsatisfied with an implementation of a ‘random’ die rolling bit of an online Dungeons & Dragons service I decided to roll my own. (pun intended)

I wondered, “How can I get truly random numbers?” While the respective random module is well endowed and probably good enough, what’s the point if I simply type random and call it a day? Besides, I know that computer generated random numbers are really only pseudorandom numbers anyway and that just makes me feel dirty inside. Unacceptable!

No, to truly achieve greatness I’ll need numbers as random as I can get. But how?! Well I’ll tell you how. Introducing the ANU Quantum Random Number Server. Here’s a bit from their homepage:

Welcome to the ANU Quantum Random Numbers Server

This website offers true random numbers to anyone on the internet. The random numbers are generated in real-time in our lab by measuring the quantum fluctuations of the vacuum. … By carefully measuring these fluctuations, we are able to generate ultra-high bandwidth random numbers.

Eureka! Now that I have random numbers, all I needed was to employ a bit of docopt [read: amazing] magic, some dogey math and I’ll have a niftly (likely useless) little commandline tool!

Other Projects

• https://pypi.python.org/pypi/quantumrandom/

• https://github.com/pcragone/anurandom

Disclaimer

Ok, full-disclosure, I majored in something other than math and probability is hard. So instead, I borrowed this example from ANU’s Site. Through completely unscientific means I have judged this technique acceptable:

Put N balls into a bag numbered between Minimum number and Maximum number. Mix the balls thoroughly. Pick out one ball and write down its number. Repeat the process m times (either with replacement or without replacement).

– http://qrng.anu.edu.au/Lucky.php