Nix package debugging, getting correlation from sources of variation
We figure out how to debug a Nix package build. But more excitingly, we also learn how we can measure variation with and without an effect present and get an intuitive sense for what the correlation means!
You have arrived at the mid-week hump. Have a $container of $beverage and enjoy some reading before you speed along with the rest of your life.
New articles
Debugging nixpkgs Package Build
I recently wanted to package a couple of text editors for nixpkgs. It was a little difficult to get started, but once the worst parts were figured out, the second package was much easier.
Full article (2–3 minute read): Debugging nixpkgs Package Build
Wiggling Into Correlation
Ever enthused about spreading statistical literacy, I'm trying to show how correlations break down into sources of variation. By measuring the variation with an effect present and then measuring again with it absent we can figure out how much of the variation is due to other factors, and then simple arithmetic takes us to the correlation.
Full article (3–8 minute read): Wiggling Into Correlation
Flashcard of the week
What is a good example to remember the order of the terms in the definition of variance, i.e. V(X) = E(X²) - E(X)²?
A Bernoulli trial that can take values +1 or -1. The variance of that is one, which means we must have E({1, -1}²) - E({1, -1})² and not the other way around.
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