Re: [Numpy-discussion] Numarray: question on RandomArray2.seed(x=0, y=0) system clock default and possible bug

[<pet...@no...>]

Just to stick my oar in:

I think Eric's preference is predicated by the lousiness (or otherwise?)  
of RandomArray's seeding mechanism. The random sequences generated by
incremental seeds should, by design, be uncorrelated thus allowing the use
of the system clock as a seed source.

If you're running lots of simulations (as I do with Monte Carlos, though
not in numpy) using PRNGs, the last thing you want is the task to find a
(pseudo) random source of seeds. Using /dev/random is not particularly
portable; the system clock is much easier to obtain and is fine as long as
your iteration cycle is longer than its resolution.

Peter