[Python-ideas] Globally configurable random number generation)

[Terry Reedy]

On 9/14/2015 11:04 AM, Serhiy Storchaka wrote:
> On 14.09.15 16:32, Nick Coghlan wrote:
>> * make random.Random a subclass of SeedableRandom that deprecates
>> seed(), getstate() and setstate()

An alternate proposal is to initialize the module so that random uses a 
something more 'secure' than MT.  Then...

> I would make seed() and setstate() to switch to seedable algorithm.

In particular, to MT. Also switch on a getstate() call.

 > 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.

There is more than one possible internal implementation.  But for any of 
them, the change should be invisible to callers.  (Representations and 
introspection results would be a different matter.)

I understand that the docs currently say that random uses MT.  But I 
wonder if any version of the above could be used in current versions, so 
as to immediately "upgrade a lot of existing instructions on the 
internet" and code that follows such instructions.

-- 
Terry Jan Reedy