Hardware Randomness vs Pseudorandom Number Generators

Developers should learn and use hardware randomness when building systems that require cryptographically secure random numbers, such as encryption keys, secure tokens, or gambling applications, to prevent predictability and attacks meets developers should learn prngs when building applications that require random-like behavior without the overhead or unpredictability of true randomness, such as in game development for procedural content generation, simulations for testing algorithms, or cryptographic systems for generating keys and nonces. Here's our take.

Hardware Randomness

Nice Pick

Developers should learn and use hardware randomness when building systems that require cryptographically secure random numbers, such as encryption keys, secure tokens, or gambling applications, to prevent predictability and attacks

Pros

• It is particularly important in high-security environments like financial systems, military communications, and blockchain technologies, where pseudorandomness could be exploited
• Related to: cryptography, security-principles

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Pseudorandom Number Generators

Developers should learn PRNGs when building applications that require random-like behavior without the overhead or unpredictability of true randomness, such as in game development for procedural content generation, simulations for testing algorithms, or cryptographic systems for generating keys and nonces

Pros

• They are crucial in scenarios where reproducibility is needed, like in scientific computing or unit testing, and offer high performance and scalability compared to hardware-based random sources
• Related to: cryptography, algorithm-design

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Hardware Randomness if: You want it is particularly important in high-security environments like financial systems, military communications, and blockchain technologies, where pseudorandomness could be exploited and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Pseudorandom Number Generators if: You prioritize they are crucial in scenarios where reproducibility is needed, like in scientific computing or unit testing, and offer high performance and scalability compared to hardware-based random sources over what Hardware Randomness offers.

The Bottom Line

Hardware Randomness wins

Developers should learn and use hardware randomness when building systems that require cryptographically secure random numbers, such as encryption keys, secure tokens, or gambling applications, to prevent predictability and attacks