PRNG
Technology & Computing abbreviation · Programming
| Stands for | Pseudorandom number generator |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
PRNG stands for Pseudorandom number generator, a programming abbreviation.
An algorithm that produces a sequence of numbers that looks random but is fully determined by a starting value called a seed. Simulations, games and statistical sampling use PRNGs such as the Mersenne Twister.
Example: Seed the PRNG with 42 so the test produces the same shuffled order every run.
Usage notes
Because the output can be predicted from the seed, ordinary PRNGs must not generate passwords, tokens or keys; cryptographically secure generators are required. John von Neumann proposed the early middle-square method in the 1940s. Python's random module uses the Mersenne Twister, while its secrets module is meant for security.
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