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AMD's random number generator can't generate a 0?

288 points · 220 comments · BruceEel

  1. GuB-42 · · focus · HN ↗
    AMD's random number generator probably can't generate a 0 ;)

    Anyways, I think it is good practice to consider the output of any hardware RNG to be biased and to only use it indirectly as a source of entropy. The actual numbers come from a PRNG, secure of not depending on your needs, that have a guaranteed distribution.

    It can still cause problems if badly used, or, ironically fix problems if badly used in a different way.

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