PAT-0210
Non-Deterministic Execution
A structural condition where equivalent inputs and declared constraints produce divergent outputs across executions.
Primary Lenses
Determinism Lens
Evaluates whether identical structural inputs produce equivalent structural outputs across repeated executions.
Lens Application
The Determinism Lens is a primary inspection mechanism for Non-Deterministic Execution because it focuses directly on whether repeated executions preserve equivalent structural outputs when inputs and declared constraints remain equivalent.
Inspect For
- Output drift across repeated equivalent executions
- Hidden sources of randomness, timing, or ordering
- Inconsistent constraint interpretation between runs
- Divergent intermediate states or final structures
Avoid
Treat a single divergent run as an inspection signal rather than conclusive evidence without comparing repeated executions and surrounding structural conditions.
Variance / Entropy Lens
Measures structural variability across repeated or comparable evaluations and identifies divergence beyond expected bounds.
Lens Application
The Variance / Entropy Lens is a primary inspection mechanism for Non-Deterministic Execution because it focuses directly on divergence across repeated or comparable executions. It helps surface whether equivalent inputs and constraints produce inconsistent outputs, variable decision paths, or entropy that exceeds expected tolerances.
Inspect For
- Output differences across repeated equivalent runs
- Drift in intermediate states or execution paths
- Variability not explained by declared constraints
- Entropy spikes across comparable evaluations
Avoid
Treat variance signals as inspection signals requiring context, not as confirmation that Non-Deterministic Execution has been established.
Secondary Lenses
Convergence Lens
Compares parallel structural systems to determine whether they align under shared authority.
Lens Application
As a secondary lens, the Convergence Lens helps inspect Non-Deterministic Execution by checking whether equivalent executions converge on structurally consistent outcomes. It may surface divergence across parallel systems, repeated runs, or comparable decision paths, especially where shared authority should produce aligned behavior.
Inspect For
- Divergent outputs from equivalent inputs
- Parallel executions that fail to align
- Inconsistent interpretation of shared constraints
- Authority boundaries applied differently across runs
Avoid
Treat convergence gaps as signals for further inspection rather than evidence that Non-Deterministic Execution has been established.
Reference Stability Lens
Evaluates whether structural references, identifiers, nodes, and edges remain consistent across execution cycles or comparable states.
Lens Application
As a secondary lens, the Reference Stability Lens helps inspect Non-Deterministic Execution by checking whether structural references remain consistent when equivalent inputs and constraints are executed repeatedly. Reference drift, unstable identifiers, or changing node-edge mappings may indicate where divergent outputs are being introduced or amplified.
Inspect For
- Identifier changes across equivalent executions
- Node or edge mappings that shift between runs
- References resolving to different targets under the same constraints
- Output divergence correlated with structural reference drift
Avoid
Treat reference instability as a supporting inspection signal, not as confirmation that Non-Deterministic Execution has been established.
Primary Issue Matches
Prompt Only Works After Retry
The prompt fails, misroutes, or produces an unusable response on one attempt but works after retry without a meaningful change to the input.
Similar Cases Route to Different Outcomes
Similar inputs, cases, prompts, or workflow states are routed to different outcomes without a declared difference that explains the split.
Validation Result Changes on Retry
A validation, grading, review, classification, or pass/fail result changes after retry even though the input and declared validation rules did not change.