CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c++random
dhaval nagar
dhaval nagar

Reputation: 111

Formula used for function rand() in c++

I want to know what is the formula used for generating random numbers using the rand() function in C++. At first I though it would return random numbers every time, but it does not.

#include <iostream>
#include <cstdlib>
#include <ctime>
using namespace std;

int main()
{
    cout << "Hello world!" << endl;

    srand(9865);
    cout << rand() << "\n";
    return 0;
}

Here I thought that, maybe because of given seed number and that unknown formula, it will be showing same number.

But, when i removed "srand(9865);" and execute several times it is showing only "41" as output. Please explain me what is all going on here.

Upvotes: 1

Views: 2020

Answers (3)

Ami Tavory
Ami Tavory

Reputation: 76297

The library specifications don't dictate the formula for the random number generator (it is up to the implementation). The only things specified are that things can be controlled via srand for consistent pseudo-random generation:

In order to generate random-like numbers, srand is usually initialized to some distinctive runtime value, like the value returned by function time (declared in header <ctime>). This is distinctive enough for most trivial randomization needs.

So:

  1. If you initialize srand with a given seed, the following rand calls will be consistent across runs.

  2. If you initialize srand with a time-based seed, the following rand calls will almost surely be different across runs.

  3. If you do not initialize srand, the following calls to rand will use the default initial seed.

Note that in contemporary C++, you should avoid using these ancient functions. See the answers to this question.

Upvotes: 1

Prabindh
Prabindh

Reputation: 3504

From http://linux.die.net/man/3/rand

"If no seed value is provided, the rand() function is automatically seeded with a value of 1. ", and "..These sequences are repeatable by calling srand() with the same seed value. "

Upvotes: 2

Humam Helfawi
Humam Helfawi

Reputation: 20264

You have to seed your random function with a non static seed every time. One simple but not so accurate solution is to seed it with the clock:

#include <iostream>
#include <cstdlib>
#include <ctime>
using namespace std;

int main()
{
    cout << "Hello world!" << endl;

    srand(time(NULL));
    cout << rand() << "\n";
    return 0;
}

Upvotes: 1

Related Questions