[Python-ideas] Globally configurable random number generation

[Serhiy Storchaka]

On 14.09.15 16:32, Nick Coghlan wrote:
> * make random.Random a subclass of SeedableRandom that deprecates
> seed(), getstate() and setstate()

I would make seed() and setstate() to switch to seedable algorithm. If 
you don't use seed() or setstate(), it is not important that the 
algorithm is changed. If you use seed() or setstate(), you expect 
reproducible behavior.

> * random.Random becomes an alias for random.SeedlessRandom

This breaks compatibility with the data pickled in older Python.

> In 3.7, "random.set_default_instance(random.seedable_random)" will opt
> back in to the deterministic PRNG when using the module level
> functions process wide, while "from random import seedable_random as
> random" will do so on a module by module basis.

What to do with "from random import random" deep in third-party module? 
It caches random.random in the module dictionary.