hypertext, non-deterministic

A hypertext is non-deterministic if the possibilities available to the reader cannot reasonably be predicted or described at the beginning of a reading. One way to create a non-deterministic hypertext is sculpturally, where all possible links exist and conditions (chosen by the reader or at the time of reading) create the set of expressed (available) links. Since the links, and hence the reading possibilities, cannot be predicted ahead of time such a hypertext is non-deterministic. See also deterministic hypertext, sculptural hypertext, card shark and thespis.