random number generator

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random number generator

A computer program uses a random number generator to create a lottery ticket.

Definition

Noun: A random number generator is a computational or physical process designed to produce a sequence of numbers that lacks any predictable pattern. These numbers are statistically random, meaning each possible number in a given range has an equal probability of being selected, and future numbers cannot be reliably predicted from past ones.

Usage

A random number generator is a tool or algorithm. It is typically used as the subject or object in a sentence. * The security of the encryption system depends on a high-quality random number generator. * For the simulation, we need to configure the random number generator with a specific seed value.

Examples
  • The casino's electronic roulette wheel uses a certified random number generator to ensure fair play.
  • In cryptography, a random number generator is essential for creating secure keys.
  • The researcher noted that the model's output varied because it relied on a stochastic random number generator.
Advanced Usage
  • Pseudorandom Number Generator (PRNG): A common type of random number generator that uses a mathematical algorithm and an initial "seed" value to produce a long, non-repeating sequence of numbers that appears random. While deterministic, a good PRNG is sufficient for most applications like simulations and games.
    • Most programming languages have built-in libraries for a pseudorandom number generator.
  • Hardware Random Number Generator (HRNG): A random number generator that derives randomness from a physical process, such as electronic noise or radioactive decay. These are used when true, non-deterministic randomness is required, such as in high-security cryptography or lottery drawings.
    • The server is equipped with a hardware random number generator for generating encryption keys.
Variants and Related Words
  • RNG: A common abbreviation for random number generator.
    • The game's loot drops are determined by an RNG.
  • Randomize (verb): To make random in arrangement or selection, often using a random number generator.
    • The software will randomize the list of participants.
Synonyms
  • Randomizer: A general term for any device or algorithm that introduces randomness.
  • Stochastic source: A technical term emphasizing the probabilistic nature of the output.
Related Phrases
  • Seed a random number generator: To initialize the algorithm with a starting value, which determines the subsequent sequence of "random" numbers it produces.
    • To reproduce the experiment's results, you must seed the random number generator with the same value we used.
  • Random number generation: The process or act of creating random numbers.
    • The paper discusses new methods for quantum random number generation.
random number generator

A computer program uses a random number generator to create a lottery ticket.

Noun
  1. a routine designed to yield a random number