RAND(3C) UNIX Programmer's Manual RAND(3C) NNAAMMEE rand, srand - random number generator SSYYNNOOPPSSIISS ssrraanndd((sseeeedd)) iinntt sseeeedd;; rraanndd(()) DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN TThhee nneewweerr rraannddoomm((33)) sshhoouulldd bbee uusseedd iinn nneeww aapppplliiccaattiioonnss;; rraanndd rreemmaaiinnss ffoorr ccoommppaattiibbiillttyy.. _R_a_n_d 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 The generator is reinitialized by calling _s_r_a_n_d with 1 as argument. It can be set to a random starting point by cal- ling _s_r_a_n_d with whatever you like as argument. SSEEEE AALLSSOO random(3) Printed 7/9/88 September 29, 1985 1