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arc4rand, arc4random, random, read_random, srandom -- supply pseudo-
arc4rand(void *ptr, u_int length, int reseed);
read_random(void *buffer, int count);
The random() function will by default produce a sequence of numbers that
can be duplicated by calling srandom() with '1' as the seed. The
srandom() function may be called with any arbitrary seed value to get
slightly more unpredictable numbers. It is important to remember that
the random() function is entirely predictable, and is therefore not of
use where knowledge of the sequence of numbers may be of benefit to an
The arc4rand() function will return very good quality random numbers,
slightly better suited for security-related purposes. The random numbers
from arc4rand() are seeded from the entropy device if it is available.
Automatic reseeds happen after a certain timeinterval and after a certain
number of bytes have been delivered. A forced reseed can be forced by
passing a non-zero value in the reseed argument.
The read_random() function is used to return entropy directly from the
entropy device if it has been loaded. If the entropy device is not
loaded, then the buffer is filled with output generated by random(). The
buffer is filled with no more than count bytes. It is advised that
read_random() is not used; instead use arc4rand()
All the bits generated by random(), arc4rand() and read_random() are
usable. For example, 'random()&01' will produce a random binary value.
The arc4random() is a convenience function which calls arc4rand() to
return a 32 bit pseudo-random integer.
The random() function uses a non-linear additive feedback random number
generator employing a default table of size 31 long integers to return
successive pseudo-random numbers in the range from 0 to (2**31)-1. The
period of this random number generator is very large, approximately
The arc4rand() function uses the RC4 algorithm to generate successive
pseudo-random bytes. The arc4random() function uses arc4rand() to
generate pseudo-random numbers in the range from 0 to (2**32)-1.
The read_random() function returns the number of bytes placed in buffer.
Dan Moschuk wrote arc4random().
Mark R V Murray wrote read_random().