Pseudorandom Number Generators
Pseudorandom Number Generators (PRNGs) are algorithms that generate sequences of numbers that appear random but are actually deterministic, based on an initial seed value. They are widely used in computing for simulations, cryptography, gaming, and statistical sampling where true randomness is not required or feasible. Unlike true random number generators that rely on physical processes, PRNGs produce predictable and reproducible sequences, making them essential for debugging and repeatable experiments.
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. 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.