erand48 - Linux
Overview
erand48 is a Linux command that generates pseudorandom numbers using a 48-bit seed. It is designed for portability and performance, making it suitable for both numerical simulations and statistical applications.
Syntax
erand48(unsigned short xseed[3]) -> double
- xseed: A 3-element array that holds the seed for the random number generator.
Options/Flags
None
Examples
Generate a single random number:
seed = {1, 2, 3};
x = erand48(seed);
Generate a series of random numbers:
srand48(5); // initialize seed
for (i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
x = erand48();
printf("%f\n", x);
}
Common Issues
- Non-randomness: If the seed is not properly initialized, erand48 may generate predictable sequences of numbers.
- Precision: erand48 produces double-precision floating-point numbers, which have limitations in precision and range.
Integration
erand48 can be used with other commands or tools for:
- Random sampling: Generating random samples from a population.
- Monte Carlo simulations: Simulating random processes and estimating outcomes.
- Data scrambling: Anonymizing or obfuscating sensitive data.
Related Commands
- rand: A more basic pseudorandom number generator.
- srandom: A seed initialization function for rand.
- drand48: A double-precision random number generator with a 48-bit seed.