I like Math::Random a lot. It can give you random data with a selectable probability distribution.

As for "best practices", try googling the cryptographic literatere for 'prng' (pseudo-random number generat{or,ion}). The ideal thing (modulo techno-paranoia) is a hardware random number generator supported by the kernel. Kernel /dev/urandom is generally good. Non-pseudo generators all rely on some source of well-characterized but unpredictable noise.

After Compline,
Zaxo

In reply to Re: Random Data by Zaxo
in thread Random Data by Anonymous Monk

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