Deterministic algorithm is an algorithm that, given the same input, always produces the same output. It's the opposite of those hipster non-deterministic algorithms that sometimes work and sometimes don't, like that flaky machine learning model your data science team keeps trying to push into production.

How to use it in a sentence

• I told my PM that we couldn't use a deterministic algorithm for this feature because the requirements keep changing faster than JavaScript frameworks.

• The new hire kept arguing that we should use a non-deterministic approach for our search algorithm, but I shut that down faster than Twitter bans fake accounts - we need a deterministic algorithm to ensure consistent results.

If you actually want to learn more...

• Eradicating Non-Determinism in Tests - Martin Fowler dives into the causes of non-deterministic tests and provides strategies to handle them. If you're tired of flaky tests ruining your day, this article is a must-read.

• Find the Best Rational Fraction Approximation to a Decimal Number - This article explains how to find the best rational approximation to a decimal number, which is useful when you need precise decimal representation. Perfect for when you're trying to impress your coworkers with your math skills.

Note: the Developer Dictionary is in Beta. Please direct feedback to skye@statsig.com.