Question

I was wondering how the random number functions work. I mean is the server time used or which other methods are used to generate random numbers? Are they really random numbers or do they lean to a certain pattern? Let’s say in python:

import random
number = random.randint(1,10)

Answer 1

Random number generators vary (of course) by different platform, but in general, they’re only “pseudo-random” numbers. That is, the “random” numbers are generated by an algorithm that is chosen to provide a distribution of numbers that’s reasonably even and with a statistical distribution similar to what one would expect of true randomness. These random number generators typically take a “seed” value, which is used to initiate the “sequence”; usually, the same “seed” value will return the same “random” number (indicating that it’s clearly not actually “random”).

One can obtain reasonable pseudorandom results, however, by seeding the “random” number function with a rapidly changing number, such as the time (in ticks) from the machine, or other varying seed values. That doesn’t change the fact, however, that these “random” numbers aren’t really random; however, for most purposes, they can be considered “good enough”.

One note as an addendum: there are actual random number generators that are hardware based that can be purchased and used that actually are random. These typically depend on the measurement of a varying quantity, such as the number of photons received by a detector, and biased such that they return truly random values. These are relatively rare, however.