Generate random numbers in C++

Some times we need a random number for sort or as the input of our program. Previously we can use rand() to generate. Since c++ 11, we have a new way to do so.

The old way
The new way

The old way

RAND_MAX: max number that rand() returns(included)
rand(): generates a number between [0, RAND_MAX]
- If no srand() is called, it will generate number as srand(1) is called.
srand(unsigned int): sets the seed
- Usually we use time(nullptr) as the seed.

#include <cstdlib>
#include <ctime>
#include <iostream>
#include <random>

int main() {

    std::srand(std::time(nullptr));
    std::cout << rand() << std::endl;
    std::cout << RAND_MAX << std::endl;

    return 0;
}

The new way

Random number can be generated using three steps:

initialize a random device
initialize a generator
initialize a distribution

#include <algorithm>
#include <ctime>
#include <iostream>
#include <iterator>
#include <random>
#include <vector>

int main() {
    std::random_device rd;
    std::mt19937 generator(rd());
    std::uniform_int_distribution<> dis(1, 6);
    for (int i = 0; i < 10; ++i) {
        std::cout << dis(generator) << std::endl;
    }

    std::normal_distribution<> dis1(1, 6);
    for (int i = 0; i < 10; ++i) {
        std::cout << dis1(generator) << std::endl;
    }

    std::vector<int> vec{1,3,5};
    std::shuffle(std::begin(vec), std::end(vec), generator);
    std::copy(vec.begin(), vec.end(), std::ostream_iterator<int>(std::cout, ","));
    std::cout << "\n";


    return 0;
}

In CppReference, it lists a bunch of predefined distributions.