rand(3C)                                                           rand(3C)

NAME
     rand, srand - simple random-number generator

SYNOPSIS
     #include <stdlib.h>

     int rand(void);

     void srand(unsigned int seed);

DESCRIPTION
     rand() uses a multiplicative congruent random-number generator with
     period 2^32 that returns successive pseudo-random numbers in the range
     from 0 to RANDMAX (defined in stdlib.h).

     The function srand() uses the argument seed as a seed for a new
     sequence of pseudo-random numbers to be returned by subsequent calls
     to the function rand(). If the function srand() is then called with
     the same seed value, the sequence of pseudo-random numbers will be
     repeated. If the function rand() is called before any calls to srand()
     have been made, the same sequence will be generated as when srand() is
     first called with a seed value of 1.

NOTES
     The spectral properties of rand() are limited. drand48(3C) provides a
     much better, though more elaborate, random-number generator.

SEE ALSO
     drand48(3C).


























Page 1                       Reliant UNIX 5.44                Printed 11/98