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Re: is rand() random

by smitz (Chaplain)
on Jun 19, 2002 at 15:35 UTC ( [id://175726]=note: print w/replies, xml ) Need Help??


in reply to is rand() random

For really REALLY random numbers, try:
HotBits
This generator uses radioactive decay as its seed, or some such physics gubbins.

SMiTZ

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Re: Re: is rand() random
by Anonymous Monk on Jun 19, 2002 at 19:13 UTC
    Actually HotBits is not a generator that uses radioactive decay as a seed, it uses the decay to actually generate bits (actually it uses pairs of timing intervals between consecutive decay events to generate either 0 or 1 bits depending on whether the first or second interval was longer). The process is slow, about 30 random bytes generated per second, and requests for HotBits (up to 2k bytes at a time) are served from an inventory of about 2 million bits that is continually topped up in the background. Of course, your primary request is processed by a Perl CGI program that fetches your bits for you.

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