Is it possible to predict rand(0,10) in PHP?

Question

I have a script where I use the rand function in PHP. Now I read some ghost stories that its real easy to predict those outcomes. Is this possible from the client-side?

Answer 1

From the rand manual:

A pseudo random value between min (or 0) and max (or getrandmax(), inclusive).

So, random is not random, but pseudo random. If you know how the caluclation is done, and know the initial value one can predict (calculate) the next value.

If you need a true random value, you need a other algorithm. Based on white noise, for example.