5.6. Markov Transition Files

The default behavior for ConsoleUser is heavily based on Markov chains.

In many situations we use a matrix of transition to model behavior, and each matrix is stored in its own file. Typically, there is a file that controls the transitions from module to module, typically called modules.conf, and each module will also have its own transition matrix that is the name of the module and Actions.conf. These names can be changed, but it is not usually necessary to do so.

5.6.1. Syntax

A Markov transition file is a services of CDF lines where the “key” for each line represents the current state and the rest of the line are the relative probabilities of transitioning to a next state (which could be the same as the current state).

5.6.1.1. CDF Line

In our CDF lines values and numbers are paired, with the numbers all falling within [0.0, 1.0] and increasing as the line is read left to right. The value that is associated with the number has the chance of being selected equal to its own number minus the preceding number.

For example, if a line contains 0.1 first, 0.8 second, 1.0 third there is a 10% chance of selecting first, a 70% chance of selecting second and a 20% chance of selecting third.