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PR_GetRandomNoise
=================
Produces a random value for use as a seed value for another random
number generator.
Syntax
------
.. code::
#include <prrng.h>
NSPR_API(PRSize) PR_GetRandomNoise(
void *buf,
PRSize size
);
Parameters
~~~~~~~~~~
The function has these parameters:
``buf``
A pointer to a caller-supplied buffer to contain the generated random
number. ``buf`` must be at least as large as specified in ``size``.
``size``
The size, in bytes, of the requested random number.
Returns
~~~~~~~
:ref:`PRSize` value equal to the size of the random number actually
generated, or zero. The generated size may be less than the size
requested. A return value of zero means that :ref:`PR_GetRandomNoise` is
not implemented on this platform, or there is no available noise to be
returned at the time of the call.
Description
-----------
:ref:`PR_GetRandomNoise` provides a random value, depending on platform.
The length of the random value is dependent on the platform and its
ability to provide a random value at that moment.
:ref:`PR_GetRandomNoise` is intended to provide a "seed" value for a
another random number generator that may be suitable for cryptographic
operations. This implies that the random value provided may not be, by
itself, cryptographically secure. The value generated by
:ref:`PR_GetRandomNoise` is at best, extremely difficult to predict and is
as nondeterministic as the underlying platform permits.
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