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(libc.info)ISO Random

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ISO C Random Number Functions
-----------------------------

   This section describes the random number functions that are part of
the ISO C standard.

   To use these facilities, you should include the header file
`stdlib.h' in your program.

 - Macro: int RAND_MAX
     The value of this macro is an integer constant representing the
     largest value the `rand' function can return.  In the GNU library,
     it is `2147483647', which is the largest signed integer
     representable in 32 bits.  In other libraries, it may be as low as
     `32767'.

 - Function: int rand (void)
     The `rand' function returns the next pseudo-random number in the
     series.  The value ranges from `0' to `RAND_MAX'.

 - Function: void srand (unsigned int SEED)
     This function establishes SEED as the seed for a new series of
     pseudo-random numbers.  If you call `rand' before a seed has been
     established with `srand', it uses the value `1' as a default seed.

     To produce a different pseudo-random series each time your program
     is run, do `srand (time (0))'.

   POSIX.1 extended the C standard functions to support reproducible
random numbers in multi-threaded programs.  However, the extension is
badly designed and unsuitable for serious work.

 - Function: int rand_r (unsigned int *SEED)
     This function returns a random number in the range 0 to `RAND_MAX'
     just as `rand' does.  However, all its state is stored in the SEED
     argument.  This means the RNG's state can only have as many bits
     as the type `unsigned int' has.  This is far too few to provide a
     good RNG.

     If your program requires a reentrant RNG, we recommend you use the
     reentrant GNU extensions to the SVID random number generator.  The
     POSIX.1 interface should only be used when the GNU extensions are
     not available.