Dev-random: Difference between revisions
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imported>Caesar Schinas m (replace dablink by slashtitle) |
imported>Eric M Gearhart (Added entropy, and moving Related to subpage) |
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{{slashtitle|/dev/random}} | {{slashtitle|/dev/random}} | ||
In [[Unix]] and [[Unix-like]] [[operating systems]], '''/dev/random''' is a special file, which serves as a generator of [[random number]]s. This can be either a truly random number, generated from | In [[Unix]] and [[Unix-like]] [[operating systems]], '''/dev/random''' is a special file, which serves as a generator of [[random number]]s. This can be either a truly random number, generated from a source of [[entropy]] such as [[device driver|device drivers]], or a pseudorandom number generator, in which the numbers are not truly random, but based on an algorithm which creates a diverse range of numbers. | ||
Latest revision as of 00:44, 3 August 2009
Due to technical limitations, this article uses an unusual title. It should be called /dev/random.
In Unix and Unix-like operating systems, /dev/random is a special file, which serves as a generator of random numbers. This can be either a truly random number, generated from a source of entropy such as device drivers, or a pseudorandom number generator, in which the numbers are not truly random, but based on an algorithm which creates a diverse range of numbers.