Re: Random Number generator

[Buck Calabro <mcalabro@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>>>" I have a pseudo-random number generator that I translated from C to RPG" <<
>
>Just out of interest, why did you write something in C rather than just use
>"rand"?

Jon,
        I found this C routine in a magazine.  I wanted to use it because I 
needed
an algorithm that had a pedigree: this particular routine was based on an 
algorithm
that would generate a "scientifically" random data stream.  The C function 
"rand"
didn't provide the needed accuracy that the researchers needed.

Why an algorithm with a pedigree?  We were using it to randomly select truck
drivers for drug testing, and the legal folks wanted to be able to demonstrate
that the means was truly as random as possible.  This particular routine will
generate 2^31-1 numbers before the pattern begins to repeat itself.  That's 
pretty
random.

I needed to translate it to RPG because we didn't have a C compiler.

Hope that helps!

Buck Calabro
Commsoft

+---
| This is the Midrange System Mailing List!
| To submit a new message, send your mail to "MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com".
| To unsubscribe from this list send email to MIDRANGE-L-UNSUB@midrange.com.
| Questions should be directed to the list owner/operator: david@midrange.com
+---