NAME

Random::Simple - Generate good random numbers in a user consumable way.

Why Random::Simple?

To make generating random numbers as easy as possible and in a manner that you can use in real code. Generate "good" random numbers without having to think about it.

Functions

random_int($min, $max)

returns a non-biased integer between $min and $max (inclusive). Range must be no larger than 2**32 - 2.

random_float()

returns a random floating point value between 0 and 1 (inclusive).

random_bytes($number)

returns a string of random bytes with length of $number.

Usage

use Random::Simple;

my $coin_flip      = random_int(1, 2);
my $die_roll       = random_int(1, 6);
my $random_percent = random_float() * 100;
my $buffer         = random_bytes(8);

my @arr        = ('red', 'green', 'blue');
my $rand_item  = $arr[random_int(0, @arr - 1)]; # Random array item

Methodology

Perl's internal rand() function uses drand48 which is an older pseudorandom number generator and may have limitations. Random::Simple uses PCG which is: modern, simple, well vetted, and fast. Using Random::Simple will upgrade/override the rand() function to use a better PRNG.

Random::Simple is automatically seeded with entropy directly from your OS. On Linux this is /dev/urandom and on Windows it uses CryptGenRandom. You will get statistically unique random numbers automatically.

See also

• Math::Random::PCG32

• Math::Random::ISAAC

• Math::Random::MT

• Math::Random::Secure

More information

https://github.com/scottchiefbaker/perl-Random-Simple

Author

Scott Baker - https://www.perturb.org/