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Possible Duplicate:
True random number generator

I have worked with random functions in python,ruby, MATLAB, Bash and Java. Nearly every programming language has a function to generate random numbers. However, these apparently random sequences are termed as pseudo-random number sequences as the generation follows a deterministic approach, and the sequence seems to repeat (usually with a very large period).

My question, can an algorithmic/programming process ever yield true random numbers ? The questions probably is more of theoretical computer science than just programming !

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Arkapravo
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    @cletus: The usual definition is “not based on any algorithmic process” which kinda makes this question self-answering ;-) – Joey Apr 11 '10 at 08:56
  • @cletus : See this, http://docs.python.org/library/random.html – Arkapravo Apr 11 '10 at 08:58
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    [Here's the Dilbert answer](http://www.dilbert.com/dyn/str_strip/000000000/00000000/0000000/000000/00000/2000/300/2318/2318.strip.gif) :) – balpha Apr 11 '10 at 09:08

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It is not possible to generate a true random number without relying on hardware. See True random number generator

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James Westgate
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  • @James Westgate: Yeah, you are right ! May be not a duplication, but they are very similar. I will do a roll-back ASAP – Arkapravo Apr 11 '10 at 09:01