Does anyone know which algorithm is used by Go math/rand? I looked at source code and googled it, but I got no clue. It said only uniform distribution from plan 9 project in Bell lab. The link, https://github.com/seehuhn/mt19937, said that the result or math/rand is the same as Mersenne Twister.
Could anyone provide the reference of the algorithm behind math/rand?
Thank you in advance.
Steve
The algorithm is found in the link below:
https://golang.org/src/math/rand/rand.go?s=10571:10591#L319
Also, the issue with Rand is that if you use the same seed, the results will always come out the same. Below is an example of providing a Rand of a Rand using time. The GoPlay.Space does not offer time correctly; however, if you put that into your IDE, it works fine. I hope this helps. Good luck.
Rand of a Rand Example:
https://goplay.space/#fd8MuhFMICf
Why is this an issue?
I consider this as expected, and about every PRNG algorithm works like this…
I agree, but in practice with people learning to code in general, this can be a confusing on the face of it. New coders expect Random to be Random, LOL.
Thank you for the reply.
I also find some interesting posts.
A nice graphic illustration post: https://appliedgo.net/random/
& rngSource https://golang.org/src/math/rand/rng.go
But I still no idea about the mathematical theory behind it (numbers generated by uniform distribution).
Lagged Fibonacci Generator
“If I am not mistaken again, the generator is an ALFG (Additive Lagged Fibonacci Generator, thats what Wikipedia calls it). Knuth describes the algorithm in Volume 2 of The art of computer programming in section 3.2.2 (around equation 7). Both Wikipedia and Knuth state the parameter combination 607,273 as possible combination with a period length of 2^(e-1) * (2^607-1) where e is the length of the random number in bits.
I actually found a few references examining its properties and it seems to be a good rng so faar, but there is still seems to be a lack of mathematical background and it is fairly easy to get into trouble by not seeding properly.”
https://groups.google.com/forum/m/#!topic/golang-nuts/RZ1G3_cxMcM
Thank you very much Saito San. It’s very helpful.
I checked the List of RNG
There is no comment on LFG.
I would like to know the comparison of LFG & Mersenne Twister.
Because, I plan to use Mersenne Twister (MT) or better.
Does anyone know if MT is better than LFG?
Steve
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