README

The random library is a foundational library that provides access to random data generation utilities for primitive types such as integers and characters.

Main Entry Points

For non-cryptographically secure random numbers, use random_generators:

• Fast, high-quality pseudorandom number generation using PCG64
• Suitable for simulations, testing, sampling, and general-purpose randomness
• Configurable seeding modes for deterministic testing vs random production behavior
• Thread-safe global instance available via random_generators::global()
• Provides common distributions like get_int() for uniform integer generation
• For more specialized distributions (normal, exponential, etc.), use standard library <random> distributions or Abseil distributions with the underlying engine accessible via rng::engine()
• For details on seeding behavior see random values in tests

For cryptographically secure random numbers, use secure_random:

• Cryptographically secure random number generation
• Suitable for security-sensitive applications like key generation, nonces, etc.
• Uses system entropy sources

Usage Guidelines

Modules that want to provide random generation for higher-order types should link against the random library and provide specialized generators using the appropriate underlying primitives based on their security requirements.