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seed_seq::seq_seq
Section: 28.5.8.1 [rand.util.seedseq] Status: Resolved Submitter: Charles Karney Opened: 2008-02-22 Last modified: 2016-01-28
Priority: Not Prioritized
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Discussion:
seed_seq(InputIterator begin, InputIterator end);
constructs a seed_seq
object repacking the bits of supplied sequence [begin, end)
into a
32-bit vector.
This repacking triggers several problems:
seed_seq::generate
required the
introduction of the initial "if (w < 32) v.push_back(n);
" (Otherwise
the unsigned short vectors [1, 0] and [1] generate the same sequence.)
u
.
(Otherwise some sequences could not be obtained on computers where no
integer types are exactly 32-bits wide.)
I propose simplifying this seed_seq
constructor to be "32-bit only".
Despite it's being simpler, there is NO loss of functionality (see
below).
Here's how the description would read
28.5.8.1 [rand.util.seedseq] Class
seed_seq
template<class InputIterator> seed_seq(InputIterator begin, InputIterator end);5 Requires: NO CHANGE
6 Effects: Constructs a
seed_seq
object byfor (InputIterator s = begin; s != end; ++s) v.push_back((*s) mod 232);
Discussion:
The chief virtues here are simplicity, portability, and generality.
iterator_traits<InputIterator>::value_type =
uint_least32_t
the user is guaranteed to get the same behavior across
platforms.
Arguments (and counter-arguments) against making this change (and retaining the n2461 behavior) are:
The user can pass an array of unsigned char
and seed_seq
will nicely
repack it.
Response: So what? Consider the seed string "ABC". The n2461 proposal results in
v = { 0x3, 0x434241 };
while the simplified proposal yields
v = { 0x41, 0x42, 0x43 };
The results produced by seed_seq::generate
with the two inputs are
different but nevertheless equivalently "mixed up" and this remains
true even if the seed string is long.
With long strings (e.g., with bit-length comparable to the number of
bits in the state), v
is longer (by a factor of 4) with the simplified
proposal and seed_seq::generate
will be slower.
Response: It's unlikely that the efficiency of seed_seq::generate
will
be a big issue. If it is, the user is free to repack the seed vector
before constructing seed_seq
.
A user can pass an array of 64-bit integers and all the bits will be used.
Response: Indeed. However, there are many instances in the n2461 where integers are silently coerced to a narrower width and this should just be a case of the user needing to read the documentation. The user can of course get equivalent behavior by repacking his seed into 32-bit pieces. Furthermore, the unportability of the n2461 proposal with
unsigned long s[] = {1, 2, 3, 4}; seed_seq q(s, s+4);
which typically results in v = {1, 2, 3, 4}
on 32-bit machines and in
v = {1, 0, 2, 0, 3, 0, 4, 0}
on 64-bit machines is a major pitfall for
unsuspecting users.
Note: this proposal renders moot issues 782(i) and 800(i).
[ Bellevue: ]
Walter needs to ask Fermilab for guidance. Defer till tomorrow. Bill likes the proposed resolution.
[ Sophia Antipolis: ]
Marc Paterno wants portable behavior between 32bit and 64bit machines; we've gone to significant trouble to support portability of engines and their values.
Jens: the new algorithm looks perfectly portable
Marc Paterno to review off-line.
Modify the proposed resolution to read "Constructs a seed_seq object by the following algorithm ..."
Disposition: move to review; unanimous consent.
Proposed resolution:
Change 28.5.8.1 [rand.util.seedseq]:
template<class InputIterator, size_t u = numeric_limits<iterator_traits<InputIterator>::value_type>::digits> seed_seq(InputIterator begin, InputIterator end);-5- Requires:
InputIterator
shall satisfy the requirements of an input iterator (24.1.1) such thatiterator_traits<InputIterator>::value_type
shall denote an integral type.-6- Constructs a
seed_seq
object by the following algorithmrearranging some or all of the bits of the supplied sequence[begin,end)
of w-bit quantities into 32-bit units, as if by the following:
First extract the rightmostu
bits from each of then = end - begin
elements of the supplied sequence and concatenate all the extracted bits to initialize a single (possibly very large) unsigned binary number,b = ∑n-1i=0 (begin[i] mod 2u) · 2w·i
(in which the bits of eachbegin[i]
are treated as denoting an unsigned quantity). Then carry out the following algorithm:
v.clear(); if ($w$ < 32) v.push_back($n$); for( ; $n$ > 0; --$n$) v.push_back(b mod 232), b /= 232;for (InputIterator s = begin; s != end; ++s) v.push_back((*s) mod 232);
Rationale:
Addressed by N2836 "Wording Tweaks for Concept-enabled Random Number Generation in C++0X".