python - How to get stable results with TensorFlow, setting random seed

Question

I'm trying to run a neural network multiple times with different parameters in order to calibrate the networks parameters (dropout probabilities, learning rate e.d.). However I am having the problem that running the network while keeping the parameters the same still gives me a different solution when I run the network in a loop as follows:

filename = create_results_file()
for i in range(3):
  g = tf.Graph()
  with g.as_default():
    accuracy_result, average_error = network.train_network(
        parameters, inputHeight, inputWidth, inputChannels, outputClasses)
    f, w = get_csv_writer(filename)
    w.writerow([accuracy_result, "did run %d" % i, average_error])
    f.close()

I am using the following code at the start of my train_network function before setting up the layers and error function of my network:

np.random.seed(1)
tf.set_random_seed(1)

I have also tried adding this code before the TensorFlow graph creation, but I keep getting different solutions in my results output.

I am using an AdamOptimizer and am initializing network weights using tf.truncated_normal. Additionally I am using np.random.permutation to shuffle the incoming images for each epoch.

Answer 1

Setting the current TensorFlow random seed affects the current default graph only. Since you are creating a new graph for your training and setting it as default (with g.as_default():), you must set the random seed within the scope of that with block.

For example, your loop should look like the following:

for i in range(3):
  g = tf.Graph()
  with g.as_default():
    tf.set_random_seed(1)
    accuracy_result, average_error = network.train_network(
        parameters, inputHeight, inputWidth, inputChannels, outputClasses)

Note that this will use the same random seed for each iteration of the outer for loop. If you want to use a different—but still deterministic—seed in each iteration, you can use tf.set_random_seed(i + 1).