RE: [Algorithms] Random Numbers

[Ashley R. <as...@di...>]

Hi all..

There are two chapters of information on pseudo-random number generators in
a book called "Applied Cryptography" by "Bruce Schneier". Explains a few
methods for generating (almost)  random sequences, mainly aimed at crypto,
but useful none the less.

It shows how to set up a random number generator with a specific and
provable maximum period (number of iteration before it starts to repeat) and
how to use these together to get better randomness.

Note sure if that is of too much interest to you but there are some
applications when this is cool (pixelated fade between images for instance,
when you set the period to be the number of pixel and your guaranteed to
cover all the screen eventually).

Also highly recommend this book to anyone that has to do any security or
cryptography etc for their game (eg networking code). It has C code for alot
of the algorithms and easy to understand explanations for protocol and
algorithms for all sorts of cool things.

Ash.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: gda...@li...
> [mailto:gda...@li...]On
> Behalf Of Ismo
> Kärkkäinen
> Sent: Friday, 8 September 2000 6:50 PM
> To: gda...@li...
> Subject: Re: [Algorithms] Random Numbers
>
>> [...]
>
> Does anyone know of a good book or other reference that'd
> explain various
> aspects of generating random numbers to someone that's not so much
> mathematically inclined? E.g. how to test whether a random number
> generator is good etc?