10.17 Random Number Generator—library(random)

This library module provides a random number generator using algorithm AS 183 from the Journal of Applied Statistics as the basic algorithm. Exported predicates:

getrand(-RandomState)

returns the random number generator's current state

setrand(+RandomState)

sets the random number generator's state to RandomState. If RandomState is not a valid random state, it reports an error, and then fails.

maybe

succeeds determinately with probability 1/2, fails with probability 1/2. We use a separate "random bit" generator for this test to avoid doing much arithmetic.

maybe(+Probability)

succeeds determinately with probability Probability, fails with probability 1-Probability. Arguments =< 0 always fail, >= 1 always succeed.

maybe(+P, +N)

succeeds determinately with probability P/N, where 0 =< P =< N and P and N are integers. If this condition is not met, it fails. It is equivalent to random(0, N, X), X < P, but is somewhat faster.

random(-Uniform)

unifies Uniform with a new random number in [0.0,1.0)

random(+L, +U, -R)

unifies R with a random integer in [L,U) when L and U are integers (note that U will never be generated), or to a random floating number in [L,U) otherwise.

random_member(-Elem, +List)

unifies Elem with a random element of List, which must be proper. Takes O(N) time (average and best case).

random_select(?Elem, ?List, ?Rest)

unifies Elem with a random element of List and Rest with all the other elements of List (in order). Either List or Rest should be proper, and List should/will have one more element than Rest. Takes O(N) time (average and best case).

random_subseq(+List, -Sbsq, -Cmpl)

unifies Sbsq with a random sub-sequence of List, and Cmpl with its complement. After this, subseq(List, Sbsq, Cmpl) will be true. Each of the 2**|List| solutions is equally likely. Like its name-sake subseq/3, if you supply Sbsq and Cmpl it will interleave them to find List. Takes O(N) time. List should be proper.

random_permutation(?List, ?Perm)

unifies Perm with a random permutation of List. Either List or Perm should be proper, and they should/will have the same length. Each of the N! permutations is equally likely, where length(List, N). This takes O(N lg N) time and is bidirectional.

random_perm2(A,B, X,Y)

unifies X,Y = A,B or X,Y = B,A, making the choice at random, each choice being equally likely. It is equivalent to random_permutation([A,B], [X,Y]).

random_numlist(+P, +L, +U, -List)

where P is a probability (0..1) and L=<U are integers unifies List with a random subsequence of the integers L..U, each integer being included with probability P.