This tutorial is about “Arduino Tutorial – Random Number Generator”. A Random Number Generator (RNG) is a computational or physical process designed to generate a sequence of numbers that lack any pattern or predictability. These numbers are typically used in various fields such as cryptography, simulations, gaming, and statistical sampling.
Types of RNGs
RNGs play a vital role in ensuring fairness in games, maintaining security in cryptographic systems, and simulating complex phenomena in scientific research and engineering simulations.
Pseudorandom Number Generators (PRNGs): These algorithms generate numbers that appear random but actually derive from an initial value called a seed. PRNGs are deterministic, meaning if you know the seed, you can reproduce the sequence of numbers. Software applications widely use them due to their efficiency and ease of implementation.
True Random Number Generators (TRNGs): TRNGs generate numbers based on unpredictable physical processes, such as radioactive decay, thermal noise, or atmospheric noise. TRNGs provide higher security and are common in cryptographic applications where unpredictability is crucial because they rely on inherently random phenomena.
Use of Random Number Generator
| Field | Uses |
|---|---|
| Cryptography | Generating cryptographic keys, initialization vectors, and nonces |
| Ensuring the security of encryption algorithms and digital signatures | |
| Gaming | Simulating chance-based events in video games, casinos, and gambling platforms |
| Ensuring fairness in gaming outcomes | |
| Simulation and Modeling | Generating random inputs for simulations across multiple disciplines |
| Adding stochastic elements to models for realism | |
| Statistical Sampling | Generating random samples for hypothesis testing and estimation |
| Reducing bias in statistical analyses | |
| Monte Carlo Methods | Estimating complex mathematical problems using random sampling |
| Simulating probabilistic systems | |
| Machine Learning | Random initialization of model parameters |
| and Artificial Intelligence | Shuffling datasets for training |
| Introducing randomness in optimization algorithms | |
| Numerical Analysis | Improving performance and convergence properties of algorithms |
Prerequisites
Before start to learn, you should know below topics. If you know already, please go further
Components Required for Arduino Tutorial Random Number Generator
- Arduino Uno Board (You Can use any other arduino boards*) – 1 Nos
Code : randomSeed()
Arduino Tutorial Random Number Generator
long randNumber;
void setup(){
Serial.begin(9600);
randomSeed(analogRead(0));
}
void loop(){
randNumber = random(300);
Serial.println(randNumber);
delay(50);
}
Code Explanation
| Component/Function | Purpose |
|---|---|
long randNumber; | Variable declaration to store the generated random number |
void setup() | Function that runs once to initialize the Arduino board and setup necessary configurations |
Serial.begin(9600); | Initializes serial communication with the computer at a baud rate of 9600 bits per second |
randomSeed(analogRead(0)); | Seeds the random number generator with a value obtained from reading analog pin 0 |
void loop() | Function that runs continuously after the setup() function, where the main code resides |
randNumber = random(300); | Generates a random number between 0 and 299 and assigns it to randNumber variable |
Serial.println(randNumber); | Prints the generated random number to the serial monitor followed by a newline character |
delay(50); | Inserts a delay of 50 milliseconds between each iteration of the loop |
Code: random()
long randNumber;
void setup(){
Serial.begin(9600);
randomSeed(analogRead(0));
}
void loop(){
randNumber = random(300);
Serial.println(randNumber);
delay(50);
}
Code Explanation
Component/FunctionPurposelong randNumber;Declares a variable to store the generated random numbervoid setup()Initializes the Arduino board and sets up necessary configurationsSerial.begin(9600);Initializes serial communication with the computer at a baud rate of 9600 bits per secondrandomSeed(analogRead(0));Seeds the random number generator with a value obtained from reading analog pin 0void loop()Executes the main code continuously after the setup, where the random number generation occursrandNumber = random(300);Generates a random number between 0 and 299 and assigns it to randNumber variableSerial.println(randNumber);Prints the generated random number to the serial monitor followed by a newline characterdelay(50);Adds a delay of 50 milliseconds between each iteration of the loop |
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