NAME¶
Math::Random::OO::Normal - Generates random numbers from the normal (Gaussian)
distribution
SYNOPSIS¶
use Math::Random::OO::Normal;
push @prngs,
Math::Random::OO::Normal->new(), # mean 0, stdev 1
Math::Random::OO::Normal->new(5), # mean 5, stdev 1
Math::Random::OO::Normal->new(1,3); # mean 1, stdev 3
$_->seed(42) for @prngs;
print( $_->next() . "\n" ) for @prngs;
DESCRIPTION¶
This subclass of Math::Random::OO generates random reals from the normal
probability distribution, also called the Gaussian or bell-curve distribution.
The module generates random normals from the inverse of the cumulative normal
distribution using an approximation algorithm developed by Peter J. Acklam and
released into the public domain. This algorithm claims a relative error of
less than 1.15e-9 over the entire region.
See
http://home.online.no/~pjacklam/notes/invnorm/ for details and discussion.
USAGE¶
"new"¶
$prng1 = Math::Random::OO::Normal->new();
$prng2 = Math::Random::OO::Normal->new($mean);
$prng3 = Math::Random::OO::Normal->new($mean,$stdev);
"new" takes up to two optional parameters and returns a new
"Math::Random::OO::Normal" object. With no parameters, the object
generates random numbers from the standard normal distribution (mean zero,
standard deviation one). With a single parameter, the object generates random
numbers with mean equal to the parameter and standard deviation of one. With
two parameters, the object generates random numbers with mean equal to the
first parameter and standard deviation equal to the second parameter.
(Standard deviation should be positive, but this module takes the absolute
value of the parameter just in case.)
"seed"¶
$rv = $prng->seed( @seeds );
This method seeds the random number generator. At the moment, only the first
seed value matters.
"next"¶
$rnd = $prng->next();
This method returns the next random number from the random number generator. It
does not take any parameters.
BUGS¶
Please report bugs using the CPAN Request Tracker at
http://rt.cpan.org/NoAuth/Bugs.html?Dist=Math-Random-OO
AUTHOR¶
David A. Golden (DAGOLDEN)
dagolden@dagolden.com
http://dagolden.com/
COPYRIGHT¶
Copyright (c) 2004 by David A. Golden
This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under
the same terms as Perl itself.
The full text of the license can be found in the LICENSE file included with this
module.
SEE ALSO¶
Math::Random::OO