From: A.J. Rossini (rossini@blindglobe.net)
Date: Tue 29 Jan 2002 - 13:48:07 EST
Message-id: <87pu3tvpnc.fsf@jeeves.blindglobe.net>
>>>>> "h" == hzi <hzi@uol.com.br> writes:
h> One question about "random number generation": AFAIK, true
h> random number generation has to receive random input from the
h> "outside." For instance, when you generate GnuPG or PGP keys
h> for encryption, you have to type something on the keyboard.
h> With all the other stuff I've seen that purports to generate
h> random numbers, real randomo is no being generated, right?
h> Shoudn't R have some function similar to the above mentioned
h> one that exists in PGP or GNuPG?
No. Statistical "random number" simulation actually relies upon
reproducible pseudo-random number streams, rather than "true" random
numbers. (I'll say streams rather than algorithms, because
historically, lists were used as well!).
Reproducibility is the key. It's a bit harder to understand your
results if you can't characterise (for example) the uniformity and
lack of correlation (of various dimensions) of the pseudo-RNG.
However, we've got an expert in our midst who could comment more.
best,
-tony
-- A.J. Rossini Rsrch. Asst. Prof. of Biostatistics U. of Washington Biostatistics rossini@u.washington.edu FHCRC/SCHARP/HIV Vaccine Trials Net rossini@scharp.org -------------- http://software.biostat.washington.edu/ ---------------- FHCRC: M: 206-667-7025 (fax=4812)|Voicemail is pretty sketchy/use Email UW: Th: 206-543-1044 (fax=3286)|Change last 4 digits of phone to FAX --- I'm 40% time until March 1st. Try email the other 3 days.... ----- -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- r-help mailing list -- Read http://www.ci.tuwien.ac.at/~hornik/R/R-FAQ.html Send "info", "help", or "[un]subscribe" (in the "body", not the subject !) To: r-help-request@stat.math.ethz.ch _._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._
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