README
1Math::Random -- Random number generators
2
3This module generates a variety of random numbers. Capabilities
4of wide interest include the generation of:
5 uniform numbers between 0 and 1 (or user chosen boundaries)
6 random integers between user specified bounds
7 random permutations of a list (shuffle a deck of cards)
8
9The starting value for the random number generators can be specified
10as a phrase. The user's name would make the value easy to remember.
11Of course, the Perl time function can be used to provide a
12pseudo-random starting value.
13
14Also included in the package are generators for a large number of
15distributions known primarily to statisticians. These include the
16normal, exponential, binomial, beta, gamma, t, F, and others.
17
18THE GOOD NEWS. The generators are taken from published sources, are
19of high quality, and are largely machine independent. We say "largely"
20because different machines handle floating point somewhat differently,
21so values may differ slightly. The integer calculations (random
22integers and permutations) should be the same from machine to machine.
23
24Devotees of Donald Knuth will be reassured to know that many of the
25algorithms used here are mentioned favorably in his treatment of
26random numbers. See The Art of Computer Programming, vol. 2 (Semi-
27numerical Algorithms), 3rd edition (Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley,
281997), pp. 106-108 (Table 1, line 21), 129-137.
29
30THE BAD NEWS. We adapted or modified many routines published in the
31ACM's Transactions on Mathematical Software. The ACM has copyright on
32these routines (see the ACM statement on software policy in the POD/man
33page). Commercial incorporation of these routines into products to be
34sold requires permission and perhaps payment to the ACM. But if you
35don't plan to sell them, enjoy. (Note, however, that algorithms per se
36cannot be copyrighted; see 17 USC 102(b).)
37
38
39How to Install
40==============
41
42The usual:
43
44 perl Makefile.PL
45 make
46 make test
47 make install
48
49Starting with version 0.68, two versions of the phrtsd routine are
50available. For details, see the INSTALL file.
51
52
53Who Deserves the Credit? And Who Deserves the Blame?
54=====================================================
55
56Math::Random was put together by John Venier and Barry W. Brown
57with help from SWIG. For version 0.61, Geoffrey Rommel made various
58cosmetic changes.
59
60Correspondence regarding Math::Random or randlib should be
61addressed to John Venier by email to
62
63 jvenier@mdanderson.org
64
65Our address is:
66
67 Department of Biomathematics, Box 237
68 The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
69 1515 Holcombe Boulevard
70 Houston, TX 77030
71
72May 1999
73