véletlengenerátor

A véletlengenerátor, or random number generator, is a device or algorithm that produces a sequence of numbers that cannot be reasonably predicted better than by a random chance. These sequences are not truly random in a mathematical sense but are designed to approximate the properties of randomness.

There are two main categories of véletlengenerátor: pseudorandom number generators (PRNGs) and true random number generators (TRNGs). PRNGs use mathematical formulas and a starting value called a seed to produce a sequence of numbers that appear random but are entirely deterministic. If the seed is known, the entire sequence can be reproduced. TRNGs, on the other hand, rely on physical phenomena that are inherently random, such as atmospheric noise, radioactive decay, or thermal noise. These unpredictable physical processes generate sequences that are considered genuinely random.

Véletlengenerátorok have a wide range of applications. They are crucial in cryptography for generating keys and nonces, in statistical sampling for research, in simulations for modeling complex systems, and in gaming for creating unpredictable outcomes. The quality of a véletlengenerátor is often measured by how well its output passes statistical tests for randomness.