satunnaislähde

Satunnaislähde, often translated as "random source" or "random number generator," refers to a device or process that produces a sequence of numbers or symbols that cannot be reasonably predicted better than by random chance. These sources are fundamental to many areas of science, technology, and cryptography. They can be broadly categorized into two types: true random number generators (TRNGs) and pseudorandom number generators (PRNGs).

True random number generators rely on unpredictable physical phenomena. Examples include atmospheric noise, radioactive decay, thermal noise in electronic circuits, or even quantum events. The inherent randomness of these processes ensures that the generated numbers are genuinely unpredictable. However, TRNGs can sometimes be slower and more complex to implement than PRNGs.

Pseudorandom number generators, on the other hand, produce sequences that appear random but are actually determined by a mathematical algorithm and an initial value called a seed. Once the seed is set, the sequence will always be the same. While PRNGs are typically faster and easier to use, their predictability is a limitation in applications requiring true randomness, such as high-security cryptography. The quality of a PRNG is measured by how well its output mimics a truly random sequence and how long its period is before the sequence repeats.