Can Computers Generate Random Numbers?

[flotsam]

Simple question: Can computers create 'truly' random numbers?

 

[kenewbie]

I guess you have to play the "define random" game to get a good answer.

But simply put, no computer today can get a truly random number. They are all "pseudo random", which means you take a seed number (like, the amount of milliseconds passed since midnight) and run it through a one way hash.

Quantum computers might be able to do it, due to inherent uncertainties in QM, which suggests you can get a truly random seed. How that would work technically, I am not sure.

If you happen to believe in determinism on all scales, then there is no such thing as a random number. It simply cannot be made.

k

 

[alphachapmtl]

NO, but see this physical random number generator:

The Araneus Alea I USB True Random Number Generator is a compact USB device that generates high-quality true random numbers.
The Alea I uses a reverse biased semiconductor junction to generate wide-band Gaussian white noise. This noise is amplified and digitized using an analog-to-digital converter.

http://www.araneus.fi/products-alea-eng.html