Pseudo random number generator - what algorithm is it based
on?

I am planning on doing a Monte Carlo analysis which will require six or 
seven series of random numbers of between one and ten thousand values. From 
looking at information on a competing product, potentially there appears to 
be an issue if the pseudo random number generator is not adequate for series 
of this length. I haven't managed to find any information on which algorithm 
is used in Quattro Pro 12. Any answers?

Christopher Heard 

Christopher:
> I am planning on doing a Monte Carlo analysis which will require six or 
> seven series of random numbers of between one and ten thousand values. From

> looking at information on a competing product, potentially there appears to

> be an issue if the pseudo random number generator is not adequate for
series 
> of this length. I haven't managed to find any information on which
algorithm 
> is used in Quattro Pro 12.

I think that any similar program will have such a limitation, since the values 
are <simulated random>. The only truly random number generator I have seen
in 
personal computing was a routine for a C-64 that basically read the state of 
the system clock and then did something clever with that reading.

I have read that @RAND is good enough to test programs that hopeful folk devise

to win at roulette or other casino operations. But it would take a very 
dedicated punter to make 70,000 bets in one sitting.

You can complicate matters by running a macro that calls  for a 
number of times related to the most recently generated number. (Calculate [F9] 
updates any @RAND or @RANDBETWEEN Cell.) It needs a better mathematician than I

to predict how far, if at all, this would improve the output.
-- 
Good wishes!
Roy Lewis
C_Tech volunteer
(UK)