Using active server pages and simulation techniques to create virtual M&M's
Robin M. Snyder · Journal of computing sciences in colleges · 2001
The M&M problem is an excellent example of a nontrivial yet simple method for summarizing sampled data that are then used in making decisions. Simulating the creation of virtual M&M's that can be copied and pasted into a spreadsheet as the raw data for the M&M problem provides a way for students to get a unique sample of M&M's, thus modeling how, in an information systems environment, sampled raw data can often be captured electronically rather than being entered by hand as would be the case with a physical package of M&M's. Previously presented using client-side JavaScript, this paper presents a solution to the same problem using server-side Active Server Pages, thus avoiding compatibility problems of client-side scripting. The paper serves as a short introduction to both programming in Active Server Pages and to simulating discrete events.