The sequences have no discernible pattern, so they seem random. A simple and efficient construction of a pseudo-random generator based on the intractability of an NP-complete problem from the area of error-correcting codes that generates a linear amount of bits in only quadratic computing time is shown. So in hindsight, the RNG sequences depend on this seed number and are not truly random. What this means is most industries, especially casinos, use RNG that uses a seed number to produce an outcome. Since this is a different number every time you start the program, it makes a good seed.įor more information on computers and programming, see the next page. Pseudo-random number generators are not truly random (hence pseudo) and instead use an algorithm that spits out sequences of deterministic numbers. A Random Number Generator (RNG) is a machine used to generate numbers or symbols that are not predictable. To get this truly random number for the seed, most programs use the current date and time, converted to an integer value (for example, converted to the number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970). To create a random and unpredictable sequence, the seed must be a truly random number. In the case of the Global Positioning System, this reproducibility is used as a way to give each satellite a predictable but different pattern of values that the GPS receiver can track. So if you give the rand() function shown above the seed of 10 on one computer and look at the stream of numbers it produces, it will be identical to the stream of numbers produced on any computer that runs it with a seed of 10. This page explains why it's hard (and interesting) to get a computer to generate proper random numbers.
RANDOM.ORG is a true random number service that generates randomness via atmospheric noise. If you start with the same seed, you will get the same sequence of values from the formula. Introduction to Randomness and Random Numbers. Computer algorithms can only produce seemingly random or pseudorandom numbers whereas certain natural phenomena, such as the decay of radioactive particles.