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Date:      Sun, 2 Feb 2003 19:18:44 -0500 (EST)
From:      Don <don@calis.blacksun.org>
To:        current@FreeBSD.ORG
Subject:   Re: rand() is broken
Message-ID:  <20030202190827.K2458@calis.blacksun.org>
In-Reply-To: <200302030007.01718.ejb@lythe.org.uk>
References:  <200302021848.NAA19508@agamemnon.cnchost.com> <200302021941.h12JfJ1a004169@a.smtp.serv.lythe.org.uk> <3E3DB0D1.2B02CAF5@mindspring.com> <200302030007.01718.ejb@lythe.org.uk>

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> > Binary packages from third party software vendors.
>
> What about them? They either,
> a) link to a static libc, and use its rand() always; or
> b) link to a shared libc, and use its rand(), as the binary API hasn't
> changed; or
It isn't a question of the API. It's a question of expected function
output.

> c) if they really need their own specific RNG, they include it themselves, and
> don't rely on libc at all.
>
> So I fail to see the problem here.
The opinion of a random user:

I run FreeBSD and not Linux because of the stability and predictability of
the system. Changing a critical function like rand() when we know that
there are applications which depend on its output does not seem like a
good idea.

A seperate function for those who need cryptographic randomness seems like
a _much_ better idea.

This is my person opinion. I am not a developer so please take my comments
as such.

-Don

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