Re: [boost] Random Numbers

Subject: Re: [boost] Random Numbers
From: Steven Watanabe (watanabesj_at_[hidden])
Date: 2009-06-25 10:27:37

AMDG

Dima wrote:
> Hi all, this is my first post here. As far as I've seen boost provides
> standard
> random number generators for each distribution class. So, if you want a
> normally
> distributed class, you're automatically using Box-Mueller.... However, there
> are other
> ways of generating random numbers, such as using the inverse cumulative
> distribution
> function and evaluate it at a uniformly generated random number.
>
> It might be good to add this functionality to the library, since basically
> everything that is
> needed is there. Questions: Is this already in development? Is this
> something of interest?
> I'd be willing to participate somehow if this is not already in progress.
> Need first step
> guidance though.
>   

The inverse cdf is often hard to calculate with sufficient accuracy.
Some of the distributions, like the binomial and poisson distributions
can be improved, but other algorithms are probably going to be
more accurate and efficient.

In Christ,
Steven Watanabe