(gmp.info.gz) Random State Seeding

Info Catalog

(gmp.info.gz) Random State Initialization

(gmp.info.gz) Random Number Functions

(gmp.info.gz) Random State Miscellaneous

 
 Random State Seeding
 ====================
 
  - Function: void gmp_randseed (gmp_randstate_t STATE, mpz_t SEED)
  - Function: void gmp_randseed_ui (gmp_randstate_t STATE,
           unsigned long int SEED)
      Set an initial seed value into STATE.
 
      The size of a seed determines how many different sequences of
      random numbers that it's possible to generate.  The "quality" of
      the seed is the randomness of a given seed compared to the
      previous seed used, and this affects the randomness of separate
      number sequences.  The method for choosing a seed is critical if
      the generated numbers are to be used for important applications,
      such as generating cryptographic keys.
 
      Traditionally the system time has been used to seed, but care
      needs to be taken with this.  If an application seeds often and
      the resolution of the system clock is low, then the same sequence
      of numbers might be repeated.  Also, the system time is quite easy
      to guess, so if unpredictability is required then it should
      definitely not be the only source for the seed value.  On some
      systems there's a special device `/dev/random' which provides
      random data better suited for use as a seed.
 

Info Catalog

(gmp.info.gz) Random State Initialization

(gmp.info.gz) Random Number Functions

(gmp.info.gz) Random State Miscellaneous