How Does Randomize Work Under The Hood?

[dsiegel]

Hi,

How does Alteryx specificially randomize its data when using any of the Random/Random %/etc tools? I'm aware they are most likely using a macro that calls out the RAND() function, but how does that RAND() function work under the hood?

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks,

David

[CharlieS]

It's my understanding that the core tools like Formula are built in C++. I was able to find some interesting information on the C++ rand() function on Google (including the pdf link below). It seems like it is a pseudo-random process that relies on a seed value. I still don't know how the seeding process is handled in Alteryx, maybe it's time based?

http://www.math.uaa.alaska.edu/~afkjm/csce211/handouts/RandomFunctions.pdf

[JimmyG · Accepted solution]

Hi @dsiegel. The rand() finction uses the Mersenne Twister algorithm.