I also need a random number generator, but that's a separate issue --- except for the matter of how to seed the random number generator differently on each of the interpreters, which does go back to the same problem; ... and yes, a portion of the seed does need to be unpredictable,

Yes, it was your earlier mention of your requirement for a cryptographic RNG that I was addressing.

but we already have /dev/urandom for that, so...).

I looked for that on my system and got:

c:\test>dir /s /dev/urandom
Parameter format not correct - "dev".

[download]
;)

But seriously, that isn't portable even across *nix-like systems, let alone further afield.

TSC, which I hadn't heard of before (thanks), unfortunately appears to be x86-specific, and perhaps even Intel-x86-specific,

All recent AMD x86 processors and all their x64 processors also have the rdtsc instruction.

And pretty much every other modern processor has an equivalent.

With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday'
Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
"Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority".
In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.

The start of some sanity?

In reply to Re^5: How do I get a unique Perl Interpreter ID? by BrowserUk
in thread How do I get a unique Perl Interpreter ID? by wrog

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