C Language Random Number Generation Basic Random Number Generation
Example
The function rand() can be used to generate a pseudo-random integer value between 0 and RAND_MAX (0 and RAND_MAX included).
srand(int) is used to seed the pseudo-random number generator. Each time rand() is seeded wih the same seed, it must produce the same sequence of values. It should only be seeded once before calling rand(). It should not be repeatedly seeded, or reseeded every time you wish to generate a new batch of pseudo-random numbers.
Standard practice is to use the result of time(NULL) as a seed. If your random number generator requires to have a deterministic sequence, you can seed the generator with the same value on each program start. This is generally not required for release code, but is useful in debug runs to make bugs reproducible.
It is advised to always seed the generator, if not seeded, it behaves as if it was seeded with srand(1).
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <time.h>
int main(void) {
int i;
srand(time(NULL));
i = rand();
printf("Random value between [0, %d]: %d\n", RAND_MAX, i);
return 0;
}
Possible output:
Random value between [0, 2147483647]: 823321433
Notes:
The C Standard does not guarantee the quality of the random sequence produced. In the past, some implementations of rand() had serious issues in distribution and randomness of the generated numbers. The usage of rand() is not recommended for serious random number generation needs, like cryptography.
