RAND(3V) C LIBRARY FUNCTIONS RAND(3V) NAME rand, srand - simple random number generator SYNOPSIS srand(seed) int seed; rand() DESCRIPTION rand() uses a multiplicative congruential random number gen- erator with period 2**32 to return successive pseudo-random numbers in the range from 0 to (2**31)-1. srand() can be called at any time to reset the random-number generator to a random starting point. The generator is ini- tially seeded with a value of 1. SYSTEM V DESCRIPTION rand() returns successive pseudo-random numbers in the range from 0 to (2**15)-1. SEE ALSO drand48(3), random(3) NOTES The spectral properties of rand() leave a great deal to be desired. drand48(3) and random(3) provide much better, though more elaborate, random-number generators. BUGS The low bits of the numbers generated are not very random; use the middle bits. In particular the lowest bit alter- nates between 0 and 1.