initstate() -- initialize state array for generating pseudo-random numbers

SYNOPSIS

#include <stdlib.h>

char *initstate(unsigned int seed, char *state, int size);

The initstate() function initializes the state array for generating pseudo-random numbers with random(). The initstate() and setstate() functions handle restarting and changing random-number generators. The initstate() function allows a state array, passed in as an argument, to be initialized for future use. The size in bytes of the state array is used by the initstate() function to decide how sophisticated a random-number generator to use; the larger the state array, the more random the numbers. Values for the amount of state information are 8, 32, 64, 128, and 256 bytes. Amounts less than 8 bytes generate an error, while other amounts are rounded down to the nearest known value.

The seed parameter specifies a starting point for the random-number sequence and provides for restarting at the same point. The initstate() function returns a pointer to the previous state information array.

After initialization, a state array can be restarted at a different point in one of two ways:

The initstate() function can be used, with the desired seed, state array, and size of the array.

The setstate() function, with the desired state, can be used, followed by the srandom() function with the desired seed. The advantage of using both of these functions is that the size of the state array does not have to be saved once it is initialized.

PARAMETERS

seed: Specifies an initial seed value.
state: Points to the array of state information.
size: Specifies the size of the state information array.

initstate()
initialize state array for generating pseudo-random numbers

Function

SYNOPSIS

DESCRIPTION

PARAMETERS

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CONFORMANCE

MULTITHREAD SAFETY LEVEL

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AVAILABILITY

SEE ALSO

initstate() initialize state array for generating pseudo-random numbers

Function

initstate()
initialize state array for generating pseudo-random numbers