Mir Random [WIP]

[Joseph Rushton Wakeling via Digitalmars-d]

On Tuesday, 22 November 2016 at 06:31:45 UTC, Ilya Yaroshenko 
wrote:
> ##### Integer uniform generators
> [WIP]
>
> ##### Real uniform generators
> [WIP]
>
> ##### Nonuniform generators
> [WIP]

As we discussed in relation to Seb's project, I think this is a 
problematic conceptualization of the best way to structure 
functionality related to randomness.

An arguably better way (as outlined in the C++11 standard) is to 
think in terms of:

   * random _generators_, i.e. sources of uniformly distributed 
random bits:

     - random _engines_ (seedable, pseudo-random algorithms)

     - random _devices_ (non-deterministic sources of uniformly 
distributed bits)

   * random _distributions_, which transform uniformly-distributed 
random bits
     into variates with some other type and distribution

     - note _this includes uniformly-distributed integers_!

     - also uniformly-distributed floats, enums, etc.

     - and also non-uniform distributions

   * random _algorithms_, i.e. algorithms in the sense of 
std.random, but where
     their popFront() includes random decision-making

     - randomCover, randomSample, etc.

The point of the above breakdown is that it gives a nice and 
clear separation of concerns that allows for easily replaceable 
components.  Separating out stuff just by the ultimate result you 
want (integers vs. floats, uniform vs. non-uniform, etc.) isn't 
helpful in that way.