spaced_dates.R

generate_spaced_dates = function(n_samples, gap = 21, 
                                 total_period = 365,
                                 n_iter=1e12){
  x = runif(n_samples, 0, total_period) %>% sort() %>% round()
  for(i in 1:1e12){
    is_acceptable = min(diff(x)) >= 21
    if(is_acceptable) {
      break
    } else {
      x = runif(n_samples, 0, total_period) %>% sort() %>% round()
    }
  }
  if(i == n_iter) stop(sprintf('No solution reached in %g iterations', n_iter))
  message(sprintf('Solution reached in %d iterations', i))
  return(x)
}
dates = generate_spaced_dates(12)
dates
## [1]  13  55  84 113 137 205 226 247 279 311 334 358