rand: update README.md (#14341)

* update README for rand module

* use concrete values

* make sure code works
Subhomoy Haldar 2022-05-09 20:29:20 +05:30 committed by Jef Roosens
parent 2cc8cb64aa
commit a26b4581bd
Signed by: Jef Roosens
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@ -2,30 +2,59 @@
The V `rand` module provides two main ways in which users can generate pseudorandom numbers: The V `rand` module provides two main ways in which users can generate pseudorandom numbers:
1. Through top-level functions in the `rand` module. ## Direct Access Through The `rand` Module
- `import rand` - Import the `rand` module.
- `rand.seed(seed_data)` to seed (optional). ```
- Use `rand.int()`, `rand.u32n(max)`, etc. // Import the rand module
2. Through a generator of choice. The PRNGs are included in their respective submodules. import rand
- `import rand.pcg32` - Import the module of the PRNG required.
- `mut rng := pcg32.PCG32RNG{}` - Initialize the struct. Note that the **`mut`** is important. ...
- `rng.seed(seed_data)` - optionally seed it with an array of `u32` values.
- Use `rng.int()`, `rng.u32n(max)`, etc. // Optionally seed the default generator
rand.seed([u32(3110), 50714])
...
// Use the top-level functions
rand.u32n(100) ?
rand.int() // among others ...
```
## Through A Generator Of Choice
```
// Import the rand module
import rand
import rand.seed
// Import the module of the generator you want to use
import rand.pcg32
...
// Initialise the generator struct (note the `mut`)
mut rng := &rand.PRNG(pcg32.PCG32RNG{})
// Optionally seed the generator
rng.seed(seed.time_seed_array(pcg32.seed_len))
...
// Use functions of your choice
rng.u32n(100) ?
rng.int() // among others ...
```
## More Information
You can change the default generator to a different one. The only requirement is that You can change the default generator to a different one. The only requirement is that
the generator must implement the `PRNG` interface. See `get_current_rng()` and `set_rng()`. the generator must implement the `PRNG` interface. See `get_current_rng()` and `set_rng()`.
For non-uniform distributions, refer to the `rand.dist` module which defined functions for
sampling from non-uniform distributions. These functions make use of the global RNG.
**Note:** The global PRNG is not thread safe. It is recommended to use separate generators for **Note:** The global PRNG is not thread safe. It is recommended to use separate generators for
separate threads in multi-threaded applications. If you need to use non-uniform sampling functions, separate threads in multi-threaded applications.
it is recommended to generate them before use in a multi-threaded context.
For sampling functions and generating random strings, see `string_from_set()` and other related There are only a few extra functions that are defined only in this top-level `rand` module.
functions defined in this top-level module. Otherwise, there is feature parity between the generator functions and the top-level functions.
For arrays, see `rand.util`.
# General Background # General Background
@ -38,25 +67,6 @@ This is often useful for simulations that need the same starting seed.
If you need truly random numbers that are going to be used for cryptography, If you need truly random numbers that are going to be used for cryptography,
use the `crypto.rand` module. use the `crypto.rand` module.
# Guaranteed functions
The following 21 functions are guaranteed to be supported by `rand`
as well as the individual PRNGs.
- `seed(seed_data)` where `seed_data` is an array of `u32` values.
Different generators require different number of bits as the initial seed.
The smallest is 32-bits, required by `sys.SysRNG`.
Most others require 64-bits or 2 `u32` values.
- `u32()`, `u64()`, `int()`, `i64()`, `f32()`, `f64()`
- `u32n(max)`, `u64n(max)`, `intn(max)`, `i64n(max)`, `f32n(max)`, `f64n(max)`
- `u32_in_range(min, max)`, `u64_in_range(min, max)`, `int_in_range(min, max)`,
`i64_in_range(min, max)`, `f32_in_range(min, max)`, `f64_in_range(min, max)`
- `int31()`, `int63()`
There are several additional functions defined in the top-level module that rely
on the global RNG. If you want to make use of those functions with a different
PRNG, you can can change the global RNG to do so.
# Seeding Functions # Seeding Functions
All the generators are time-seeded. All the generators are time-seeded.
@ -81,7 +91,7 @@ A workaround (if you _must_ use the libc RNG) is to:
# Notes # Notes
Please note that [math interval](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interval_(mathematics)#Including_or_excluding_endpoints) notation is used throughout Please note that [math interval](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interval_(mathematics)#Including_or_excluding_endpoints>) notation is used throughout
the function documentation to denote what numbers ranges include. the function documentation to denote what numbers ranges include.
An example of `[0, max)` thus denotes a range with all posible values An example of `[0, max)` thus denotes a range with all posible values
between `0` and `max` **including** 0 but **excluding** `max`. between `0` and `max` **including** 0 but **excluding** `max`.