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From: cory@three.mv.com (Cory Kempf)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.programmer
Subject: Re: Random numbers
Message-ID: <427@three.mv.com>
Date: 15 Aug 90 05:35:47 GMT
References: <90223.005930ARTABAR@MTUS5.BITNET>
Organization: EnigamI,  Nashua, NH.
Lines: 19

ARTABAR@MTUS5.BITNET writes:

>Hell...I am attempting to do random number generation on an SE/30 (using
>Think pascal 3.0). However, I dont get random (using the Mac's RANDOM
>function) numbers...I get sequences...the same over and over. Is there any
>way to make the numbers a bit more random appearing?
>Please respond to me directly..I dont usually read this group. Thanx.

What you need is a seed value.  Every Random number algm. that I have seen
is DESIGNED to produce the same numbers, given the same seed (makes debugging
easier).  Common sources for seeds are things like the tickcount of the last
keyclick/mousedown, and the number of seconds since time began (the date in seconds),
among others.

+C
-- 
Cory Kempf				I do speak for the company (sometimes).
The EnigamI Co.							603 883 2474
email: cory@three.mv.com, harvard!zinn!three!cory