Re: Random sampling a variable record-length file.

[toma]

If you need statistically valid random numbers, don't use perl's rand(), it is not good for this purpose. It has patterns in it that will invalidate your results. I ran into this when I did a Monte Carlo simulation, and I was amazed at how bad the problem really is.

I tried several other algorithms for generating random numbers. Randomness turns out to be harder than it looks.

Any one who considers arithmetical methods of producing random digits is, of course, in a state of sin. —John von Neumann

See www.random.org for true random numbers.

[BrowserUk]

Indeed. Especially bad is the default rand on win32 with just 15-bits and a very poor LCG. I use Math::Random::MT.