1rand(3UCB)         SunOS/BSD Compatibility Library Functions        rand(3UCB)
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NAME

6       rand, srand - simple random number generator
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SYNOPSIS

9       /usr/ucb/cc [ flag ... ] file ...
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11       int rand();
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14       int srand(seed)
15       unsigned seed;
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DESCRIPTION

19       rand()  uses a multiplicative congruential random number generator with
20       period 2^32 to return successive pseudo-random  numbers  in  the  range
21       from 0 to 2^31 −1.
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24       srand()  can be called at any time to reset the random-number generator
25       to a random starting point. The generator is initially  seeded  with  a
26       value of 1.
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SEE ALSO

29       drand48(3C), rand(3C), random(3C)
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NOTES

32       Use of these interfaces should be restricted to only applications writ‐
33       ten on BSD platforms.  Use of these interfaces with any of  the  system
34       libraries or in multi-thread applications is unsupported.
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37       The  spectral  properties  of  rand() leave a great deal to be desired.
38       drand48(3C) and random(3C) provide much better, though more  elaborate,
39       random-number generators.
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42       The low bits of the numbers generated are not very random; use the mid‐
43       dle bits. In particular the lowest bit alternates between 0 and 1.
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47SunOS 5.11                        30 Oct 2007                       rand(3UCB)