System and method for generating random numbers

摘要

Random data is derived from the value of the elapsed time over which a loop is counted on a multitasking computer. The random data can be manipulated and whitened to produce random numbers of arbitrary length that pass both chi-squared and compression tests for randomness. The present invention does not rely on devices such as noise generators, leaky capacitors, gas discharge tubes, or keyboard strokes to generate random data, and reliably generates random data at a substantially higher rate than other systems and methods that can be implemented using only a general purpose computer executing instructions stored in computer readable memory. The present invention is advantageously portable among UNIX-based platforms, and operates without occupying UNIX timers or signals.