Very Computer

by **Joseph Surio** » Thu, 14 Jan 1999 04:00:00

Is there a way to have a more random way to seed RANDOM?

Now I do RANDOM=(multiply part of the CPU number * part of time * Process
Id) % 32767

A better way would be to make a number by testing CPU usage and generate a 1
when it increases and a 0 when it doesn't. But this is prettty involved for
the ksh and it only works for busy systems.

This has to run only once on different systems.

by **Hunter Johns** » Thu, 14 Jan 1999 04:00:00

> Is there a way to have a more random way to seed RANDOM?

Programming perl recommends checksumming the compressed output of a
rapidly changing o/s status program (or several), such as ps axww.
The example then ors this with the current time and the pid.

Hunter
--
J. Hunter Johnson | "A little consistent wholesome modeling and

(937) 865-6800 x5385 | true words harshly spoken."
Lexis-Nexis, Dayton, OH | -- Ron Sider

by **Matt Steinhof** » Fri, 15 Jan 1999 04:00:00

> What is a good random seed?

11

Matt