What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nondeterminism
Example
The nondeterministic algorithm can produce different results each time it is run. [nondeterministic: adjective]
Example
The nondeterminism of the situation made it difficult to predict the outcome. [nondeterminism: noun]
indeterminacy
Example
The indeterminacy of the situation made it impossible to make a decision. [indeterminacy: noun]
Example
The principle of indeterminacy states that the position and momentum of a particle cannot be precisely determined. [indeterminacy: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Indeterminacy is more commonly used than nondeterminism in everyday language. Indeterminacy is a more general term that can be applied to various fields, while nondeterminism is more specific to computer science.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between nondeterminism and indeterminacy?
Both nondeterminism and indeterminacy are technical terms and are generally used in formal contexts.
