random(7)

NAME
     random, urandom - sources of random numbers

DESCRIPTION
     random and urandom special files are sources of random numbers.

     Reads from the random or urandom special file return a buffer filled up
     with random numbers.

     Writes to the random or the urandom special file are reserved for
     superusers.  They will perturb the random number generator state.
     Closing the special file will force a reseed of the generator.

     /dev/random and /dev/urandom share the same internal generator.
     /dev/urandom is shipped for compatibility with some applications.

FILES
     /dev/random
     /dev/urandom

HISTORY
     The devices /dev/random and /dev/urandom were added in 6.5.19.
     The random device is an implementation of the Yarrow algorithm.