IMO, we should have a `Random` or `RandomGenerator` interface and the stdlib
can provide a `SystemRandom` that wraps arc4*/random(), and maybe a
cryptographically secure one too (MT19937?).
protocol RandomGenerator {
func uniform() -> Int
func uniform() -> Double
func uniformBytes(count: Int) -> Data
}
Then we could add things like, e.g. a protocol extension to generate normally
distributed numbers (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Box%E2%80%93Muller_transform
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Box%E2%80%93Muller_transform>).
extension RandomGenerator {
func normal<T: FloatingPoint>() -> (T, T) {
// ...
}
}
> On Sep 8, 2017, at 10:08 AM, Shawn Erickson via swift-evolution
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> It would be nice to leverage range support instead of a start and end value
> IMHO.
> On Fri, Sep 8, 2017 at 9:52 AM Alejandro Alonso via swift-evolution
> <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
> Hello swift evolution, I would like to propose a unified approach to
> `random()` in Swift. I have a simple implementation here
> https://gist.github.com/Azoy/5d294148c8b97d20b96ee64f434bb4f5
> <https://gist.github.com/Azoy/5d294148c8b97d20b96ee64f434bb4f5>. This
> implementation is a simple wrapper over existing random functions so existing
> code bases will not be affected. Also, this approach introduces a new random
> feature for Linux users that give them access to upper bounds, as well as a
> lower bound for both Glibc and Darwin users. This change would be implemented
> within Foundation.
>
> I believe this simple change could have a very positive impact on new
> developers learning Swift and experienced developers being able to write
> single random declarations.
>
> I’d like to hear about your ideas on this proposal, or any implementation
> changes if need be.
>
> - Alejando
>
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