rand(3C)                                                 rand(3C)



NAME
     rand, srand - call a simple random-number generator

SYNOPSIS
     int rand()

     void srand(seed)
     unsigned seed;

DESCRIPTION
     rand uses a multiplicative congruential random-number
     generator with period 2 power of 32 that returns successive
     pseudo-random numbers in the range from 0 to 32767.

     srand can be called at any time to reset the random-number
     generator to a random starting point.  The generator is
     initially seeded with a value of 1.

NOTES
     The spectral properties of rand leave a great deal to be
     desired.  drand48(3C) provides a much better, though more
     elaborate, random-number generator.

SEE ALSO
     drand48(3C)






























January 1992                                                    1