The difference between Pseudorandom and Random

When used as adjectives, pseudorandom means of a sequence of numbers, such that it has all the properties of a random sequence following some probability distribution (except true randomness), but is actually generated using a deterministic algorithm, whereas random means having unpredictable outcomes and, in the ideal case, all outcomes equally probable.


Random is also noun with the meaning: a roving motion.

check bellow for the other definitions of Pseudorandom and Random

  1. Pseudorandom as an adjective:

    Of a sequence of numbers, such that it has all the properties of a random sequence following some probability distribution (except true randomness), but is actually generated using a deterministic algorithm.

  1. Random as a noun:

    A roving motion; course without definite direction; lack of rule or method; chance.

  2. Random as a noun (obsolete):

    Speed, full speed; impetuosity, force.

  3. Random as a noun (obsolete):

    The full range of a bullet or other projectile; hence, the angle at which a weapon is tilted to allow the greatest range.

  4. Random as a noun (figuratively, colloquial):

    An undefined, unknown or unimportant person; a person of no consequence.

    Examples:

    "The party was boring. It was full of randoms."

  5. Random as a noun (mining):

    The direction of a rake-vein.

  1. Random as an adjective:

    Having unpredictable outcomes and, in the ideal case, all outcomes equally probable; resulting from such selection; lacking statistical correlation.

    Examples:

    "The flip of a fair coin is purely random."

    "The newspaper conducted a random sample of five hundred American teenagers."

    "The results of the field survey look random by several different measures."

  2. Random as an adjective (mathematics):

    Of or relating to probability distribution.

    Examples:

    "A toss of loaded dice is still random, though biased."

  3. Random as an adjective (computing):

    Pseudorandom; mimicking the result of random selection.

    Examples:

    "The <tt>rand</tt> function generates a random number from a seed."

  4. Random as an adjective (somewhat colloquial):

    Representative and undistinguished; typical and average; selected for no particular reason.

    Examples:

    "A random American off the street couldn't tell the difference."

  5. Random as an adjective (somewhat colloquial):

    Apropos of nothing; lacking context; unexpected; having apparent lack of plan, cause or reason.

    Examples:

    "That was a completely random comment."

    "The teacher's bartending story was interesting, but random."

    "The narrative takes a random course."

  6. Random as an adjective (colloquial):

    Characterized by or often saying random things; habitually using non sequiturs.

    Examples:

    "You're so random!"