Abstract
A number of applications in simulation and software testing require random number generation, both uniform and non-uniform. Although libraries are available for random number generation, there is no user-friendly tool to enable the user to use and build random number generators. This paper presents the RVGEN tool, developed at TRDDC. Using the tool, the software developer can design a random number generator specific to a particular pattern. The tool takes specifications at a high level and also partly in C++, and generates C++ code for a number of user-friendly functions. These include setting and getting of random variate parameters, GUIs for inputting parameters, validation of parameters, parameter input and output from a file, generation of random variate class declarations, generation of seeds for multiple streams, and testing of the random variate generator. The tool provides a number of classical, generalpurpose and empiric distributions by default.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aho, A.V., Kerninghan, B.W., Weinberger, P.J.: The AWK programming language. Addison—Wesley, 1988
Devroye, L.: Non-uniform Random Variate Generation. Springer-Verlag, 1986
Eichenauer-Herrmann, J., Niederreiter, H.: On the statistical independence of nonlinear congruential pseudorandom numbers. ACM TOMACS 4(1): 89–95, 1994
Eichenauer-Herrmann J., Niederreiter, H.: Digital inverse pseudorandom numbers. ACM TOMACS 4(4): 339–349, 1994
Eichenauer-Herrmann, J., Grothe, H.: A new inverse congruential pseudorandom number generator with power of two modulus. ACM TOMACS 2(1): 1–11, 1992
Fishwick, P.A.: A simulation environment for multimodeling. Discrete Event Dynamic Systems: Theory and Applications 3:151–171, 1993
Junius, M., Steppler, M., Bäuter, M., Pesch, D.: CNCL: Communication Networks Class Library. Ed. 1.9, 1997
Knuth, D.E.: The Art of Computer Programming: Vol. 2 Seminumerical Algorithms. 2nd ed. Addision Wesley, 1981
L’Ecuyer, P.: Efficient and portable combined random number generation. CACM 31(6): 742–749, 774 (1988)
Lewis, P.A., Goodman, A.S., Miller, J.M.: A pseudo-random number generator for the System/360. IBM Syst. J. 8(2): 136–146, 1969
Matsumoto, M., Nishimura, T. Mersenne Twister: A 623-dimensionally equidistributed uniform pseudo-random number generator. ACM TOMACS 8(1): 3–30, 1998
Park, S.K., Meller, K.W.: Random number generators: good ones are hard to find. CACM 31(10): 1192–1201, 1988
Sauer, C.H., Chandy, K.M.: Computer Systems Performance Modelling. Prentice Hall, 1981
Schwetman, H.: Using CSIM to model complex systems. In Proc. Winter Simulation Conference. p. 246–253, 1988
Swarm Development Group: SWARM Reference Guide. Sante Fe Institute, 1998
Tezuka, S., L’Ecuyer, P.: Efficient and portable combined Tausworthe random number generators. ACM TOMACS 1(2): 99–112, 1991
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mansharamani, R., Kallepalli, P., Veerabhadraiah, H. et al. RVGEN: a tool for generation of random variates. Software - Concepts & Tools 19, 161–167 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003789900002
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003789900002