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[REBOL] Re: random implementation

From: chris:starforge:demon at: 8-Feb-2001 11:36

[Robbo1Mark--aol--com] wrote:
> "RANDOM" number sequence using a different algorithm > in REBOL as a mezzainine function at least till RT > decide to *fix* things.
RT aren't really to blame: random number generation is an arcane art that a lot of books and courses tend to cover badly. Very few people realise that the algorithm suggested by ANSI is flawed simply because it's the standard - it must be safe. They implemnt it or a variation of it because it's easily available, widely used and seldom criticised outside scientific software circles.
> If anybody on this list has a good knowledge of RANDOM > algorithms, please send them to me and I'll knock > something up as I've had problems with this recently too.
I wouldn't say I'm an expert, but I have quite a lot of experience in writing them. If you want a good introduction, Numerical Recipies in C has a good chapter on random number generation. I will probably implement a subtractive method generator tonight and post the code to the list anyway... Chris -- New sig in the works Explorer2260 Designer and Coder http://www.starforge.co.uk