What is non-deterministic?

Non-deterministic refers to a system or process in which the outcome is not entirely predictable. In non-deterministic systems, there may be multiple possible outcomes, and the ultimate result depends on various factors and influences that may be beyond the system's control or even fully understood. Non-deterministic systems are prevalent in many areas, including physics, computer science, economics, and biology. Examples of non-deterministic systems include the weather, quantum mechanics, and algorithms that use random number generation. In computer science, non-deterministic algorithms are often used in search problems, optimization, and artificial intelligence, where multiple possible solutions can be explored simultaneously. Non-deterministic systems are often contrasted with deterministic systems, which produce predictable and unambiguous outcomes.