How Does a Random Number Generator Work and What is its Usage?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the workings and applications of random number generators (RNGs), including both true random number generators (TRNGs) and pseudo random number generators (PRNGs). Participants explore the mechanisms behind these generators and their various uses in different contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the fundamental workings of random number generators and whether there are multiple methods to generate random numbers.
  • A participant describes true random number generators as relying on physical phenomena that are theorized to behave randomly, such as radioactive decay or thermal noise, and notes that post-processing can enhance the quality of the output.
  • Another participant explains that pseudo random number generators operate through arithmetic or logical computations, producing sequences that appear random, and emphasizes the importance of the initial seed and internal state in determining the output stream.
  • A distinction is made regarding cryptographically secure random number generators, which are designed to be indistinguishable from true randomness to an adversary with limited computational power, highlighting that some common methods are not secure enough for cryptographic purposes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express curiosity about the mechanisms of RNGs and their applications, but there is no consensus on the best methods or the effectiveness of different types of generators.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various assumptions about the definitions and characteristics of RNGs, but these are not fully resolved, and the implications of different methods remain open to interpretation.

shahrzad1994
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How does a random number generator work ?
What is the usage of it ?
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
phion said:
I use this:

http://www.random.org/
I don't want to use it right now,I need to know how does it work ? Is there different ways to arrive a number o there is only one way ? And where can we use random number generator ?
 
shahrzad1994 said:
I don't want to use it right now,I need to know how does it work ? Is there different ways to arrive a number o there is only one way ? And where can we use random number generator ?

A "true" random number generator (RNG or TRNG) works by measuring something physical which is theorized to behave randomly (such as radioactive decay) or something which is so complicated that it is sure to behave randomly (such as thermal noise). Any number of sources or measuring techniques can be used. Post-processing can be used to improve the quality of poor sources.

A "pseudo" random number generator (PRNG) works by having a computer perform a series of arithmetic or logical computation that results in what appears, at first glance, to be just a list of jumbled up numbers. This can be something as simple as a multiplicative-congruential generator, a linear feedback shift register or something more complicated. Typically a PRNG will have a "seed" -- an initial value that determines how the stream will start and an internal state that evolves as each pseudo-random number is emitted. The size of the internal state constrains how long it will take before the output stream begins to repeat itself.

A cryptographically secure random number generator (CSPRNG) is a pseudo random number generator which is good enough that an opponent with bounded computer power is unable to distinguish its output from a truly random stream. There are a variety of approaches that can be used. Multiplicative congruential and linear feedback shift registers are too easy to crack and are not cryptographically secure.
 

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