Module Core_kernel.Splittable_random

A splittable pseudo-random number generator (SPRNG) functions like a PRNG in that it can be used as a stream of random values; it can also be "split" to produce a second, independent stream of random values. This module implements a splittable pseudo-random number generator that sacrifices cryptographic-quality randomness in favor of performance.

The primary difference between Splittable_random and Random is the State.split operation for generating new pseudo-random states. While it is easy to simulate State.split using Random, the result has undesirable statistical properties; the new state does not behave independently of the original. It is better to switch to Splittable_random if you need an operation like State.split, as this module has been implemented with the statistical properties of splitting in mind. For most other purposes, Random is likely a better choice, as its implementation passes all Diehard tests, while Splittable_random fails some Diehard tests.