Exploring Randomness in JavaScript
This article compares Math.random() and Crypto.getRandomValues() in JavaScript for generating random values. Despite Crypto being more secure, Math.random() suffices for creating color palettes due to speed and perceived randomness.
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This article by Ben Nadel explores randomness in JavaScript, focusing on the use of Math.random() versus Crypto.getRandomValues(). While Crypto is considered more secure for generating random values, the author questions if this translates to being more random for their specific use case of creating a color palette utility. The article delves into the differences between the two methods, highlighting how they generate random values and their implications for user experience. The author conducts an experiment to compare the visual outcomes of using Math.random() and Crypto.getRandomValues(). Ultimately, they find that for generating a random color palette, sticking with Math.random() may suffice as it is faster and perceived to be just as random as Crypto. The article emphasizes the subjective nature of randomness and the importance of considering both security and user perception when implementing randomization in JavaScript projects.
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5 commentsStill, if you want consistent quality and speed across all browsers current and future, you're better off bundling your own PRNG code. That's also necessary if you want a repeatable sequence from a specific seed value, neither of the browser built-in methods support that.
And finally I tried to make a nicer Dieharder wrapper and a simple PRNG library, but lord knows how relevant it is anymore: https://github.com/blixt/js-arbit
I guess in this archaeological dig I also found how many useful resources on the internet disappear in less than a decade.
[1]: https://web.archive.org/web/20120502223108/http://baagoe.com... (Baagøe's original site is down)
[2]: https://rurban.github.io/dieharder/ (old site is dead, though here's a web archive link: https://web.archive.org/web/20170609075452/http://www.phy.du...)
[3]: https://gist.github.com/blixt/f17b47c62508be59987b (Don't use this)
[4]: https://github.com/nquinlan/better-random-numbers-for-javasc... (this is mainly a mirror of Baagøe's wiki)
function random() {
random._s = random._s || 11224; // seed
return (random._s = random._s * 16807 % 2147483647) / 2147483646;
}
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