is random.random() os/cpu independent ?

Helper

On 18/01/2013 at 00:04, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Hi,

can someone tell me if the python random class is OS and CPU independent ? i tried to find
an answer in python docs and with google, but i am still not really sure. it would be nice if
you could quickly run this short script.

import random
  
def main() :
    random.seed(0)
    for n in xrange(4) :
        print round(random.random(),2)
  
if __name__=='__main__':
    main()

it returns for me on 3 windows machines :

0.84
0.76
0.42
0.26

thanks for reading,

Helper

On 18/01/2013 at 01:44, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Hey.
Getting the exact same numbers under OSX 10.6.8 and on a Windows 7 machine.
Phil

Helper

On 18/01/2013 at 01:45, xxxxxxxx wrote:

I ran this on my PC and on an iMac with the same results as yours in both cases.

Helper

On 18/01/2013 at 01:45, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Hi Ferdinand,

yes, the random module is OS and CPU independent. It is using the same algorithm on every
machine and Python distribution (assuming CPython, I can't say this for sure for other Python
implementations, but it should be the same). However, you should create a random.Random
object rather than using random.seed(), because this will have influence on other Python
plugins using the random module. (E.g. Plugins expecting "real" randomness from random.random()
are now receiving values computed by your defined seed value, and you might skip one of the
values because another plugin was retreiving one.)

Best,
Niklas

Helper

On 18/01/2013 at 02:15, xxxxxxxx wrote:

I'm wondering why the same results have been generated. The docs say that the seed function uses randomness sources of the OS if provided (since 2.4). Whereby the result should differ between UNIX based platforms and Windows (see os.urandom())...

Helper

On 18/01/2013 at 02:25, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Hi Satara,

the OS randomness sources are used when the parameter passed to random.seed() is omitted
or None. This is stated in the docs as well.

If x is not None or an int or long, hash(x) is used instead. If x is an int or long, x is used directly.

# Define your own seed value
random.seed(x)
  
# Take OS randomness sources or another seed value (eg. system time)
random.seed()

Helper

On 18/01/2013 at 02:40, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Ah got it! Thanks

Helper

On 18/01/2013 at 12:59, xxxxxxxx wrote:

hey,

thanks for your answers.