Understanding “randomness”

Question

I can\'t get my head around this, which is more random?

rand()

OR:

rand() * rand()

I´m f

Answer 1

The answer would be it depends, hopefully the rand()*rand() would be more random than rand(), but as:

• both answers depends on the bit size of your value
• that in most of the cases you generate depending on a pseudo-random algorithm (which is mostly a number generator that depends on your computer clock, and not that much random).
• make your code more readable (and not invoke some random voodoo god of random with this kind of mantra).

Well, if you check any of these above I suggest you go for the simple "rand()". Because your code would be more readable (wouldn't ask yourself why you did write this, for ...well... more than 2 sec), easy to maintain (if you want to replace you rand function with a super_rand).

If you want a better random, I would recommend you to stream it from any source that provide enough noise (radio static), and then a simple rand() should be enough.