Perlin Noise is a procedural noise generation algorithm developed by Ken Perlin in 1983. Unlike traditional random noise, which has little control and generates values that are totally independent of each other, Perlin Noise allows the reproduction of smooth, continuous transitions between points, hence its more natural and organic appearance (Gradient Noise).

Perlin Noise is a fundamental element of creative coding. It makes it possible to generate any kind of organic or natural effect that is impossible to recreate through the use of primitives or random algorithms. Imagine we want to create clouds, a landscape or bring an object to life by moving it in a coherent way: with Perlin Noise we can do that.

The algorithm works by taking a pair of values as input and returning a value between -1 and 1. It generates a kind of "random wave" whose amplitude and frequency can be controlled.

This type of function is one-dimensional, but Perlin noise is not limited to one dimension. We can also generate two-dimensional(x,y), three-dimensional(x,y,z) and four-dimensional(x,y,z,time) noise functions.