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Sidetrack: Random Numbers (cont)

  • Two functions are required: 

    srand(unsigned int seed) // sets its argument as the seed


    rand() // uses a LCG technique to generate random 
       // numbers in the range 0 .. RAND_MAX

    where the constant RAND_MAX is defined in stdlib.h
    (depends on the computer: on the CSE network, RAND_MAX = 2147483647)

  • The period length of this random number generator is very large
    approximately 16 · ((231) - 1)