Re: [xquery-talk] [xsl] Re: Random number generation : requirements

["Michael Kay mike@xxxxxxxxxxxx" <xsl-list-service@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 7 May 2014, at 07:31, Wolfgang Laun wolfgang.laun@xxxxxxxxx
<xsl-list-service@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> I think that a random() in XSLT should be provided in a way that lets
> you call several random number generators (of the same kind) in
> parallel. Generators may exhibit a big difference between a sequence
> where all elements are due to successive calls of the same generator
> and one where a sufficient number of generators is called one by one.
>
> For instance: In Dimitre's example: values returned alternate between
> even and odd, and using this to generate random points (x,y) in 2D
> omits 50% of the possible points. And this is typical for an entire
> class of random generators.
>

One of the inherent weaknesses of any pseudo-random number generator where the
N'th value in the sequence is a function of the (N-1)th value is that it can
get into loops. For example, if the same value appears twice consecutively
(which in a truly random sequence will sometimes happen), then all subsequent
values will be the same.


Michael Kay
Saxonica