Random Numbers (How Software Works)

How Software Works is a book and video series explaining the magic behind software encryption, CGI, video game graphics, and a lot more. The book uses plain language and lots of diagrams, so no technical or programming background is required. Come discover what's really happening inside your computer!

This episode is about random numbers--why software needs them, why they can't really make them, and why that's okay.

Learn more about the book...

[PizzaLovingNerd]

I knew it would be impossible just by the very nature of computers, so I always wondered how it works... Thanks for explaining it...

[natgazer]

Pretty interesting. Good animations!
Random function in programing languages was always something
that intrigued me

[subliminalcastillo]

Thank you! I never put much thought into randomness in software until I started programming, and you gave me exactly the answer that I was looking for. You got yourself a like & a new subscriber.

[kaasterly]

Excellent video; answers well a question I've had floating in my mind for years!

[ketanbhailikar]

6:07 Universe.exe has stopped working.

[amaansiddiqui]

Such a neat video ! Answered the exact question I had in my mind!

[andylouwrink]

Damn, 4 years ago and still relevant. By far the best explanation I've seen. Thanks!

[thorandlundeve]

4:36 straight answer. you're welcome

[fabriperoconalgomasytodojunto]

Men you are a genius! Such a great video. Perfectly explained so that everyone can understand it

[TriLool]

thank you for making this video i've been looking for an answer for quite a longtime now but everywhere i looked there was only sowtware tutorials.
as i thought computers can only emulate random.

[amans]

Great explanation. At first sight, i thought computer needs a starting reference to generate some random number, so they must used something like, declaring a variable and accessing its random, which is supposed to be random and then taking the last digit as the random reference. Seems like the seed thing is kind of similar.
I'd check out your book sure

[The_Pariah]

Viewed 3 videos on RNG.
This is the ONLY one that was worth the watch.

[selinsaki]

You saved my simulation class, you rock!

[rolandfuhrmann]

Very well explained! I hope I can apply some of that knowledge in my future projects!

[franciscogaxiola]

I was curious about the real random numbers, simple way to explain and understand the concept. Good teaching skills.

[just-gg]

Very good explanation, I enjoyed it a lot too.

[tushihahahi]

This question was asked to me in an interview.
Generate Random number without using random module in Python?
Now I know the answer.

[GurlNamedBrettMarie]

Is it always multiplied by 8 and divided by 11? Or does that change?

[pzdfv]

Python 3.6 released the "secrets" module. It's a secure non-deterministic RNG that is real easy to use. It's just a easy as the "random" module.

[safwan]

That’s a good easy to understand explanation, thanks