Numbers ·By Aisha Khan
Pseudo-Random vs. True Random: What's the Difference?
Not all randomness is equal. Understand the two kinds and which one you actually need.
You’ll often see the terms pseudo-random and true random.
Pseudo-random
Generated by an algorithm from a seed. Fast and perfect for everyday use.
True random
Derived from physical entropy. Slower but non-deterministic.
Which do you need?
For picking winners, testing and games, high-quality pseudo-random is ideal.