simple_rng

A minimal, dependency-free pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) library for Rust, based on a Linear Congruential Generator (LCG).

This RNG is not cryptographically secure, even when seeded from entropy.

Features

• Seedable random number generator
• Generate random integers, floats, booleans
• Generate random numbers in a range
• Pick random elements from slices
• Generate random signed/unsigned integers of specific bit sizes
• Algorithm selection: LCG (default), PCG (with pcg feature)
• No external dependencies
• no_std compatible (default feature: std)

Usage

Add to your Cargo.toml:

[dependencies]
simple_rng = "0.3.0"

Import and use in your code:

use simple_rng::RNG;

fn main() {
    let mut rng = RNG::from_time();
    let random_number = rng.gen_range(1, 100);
    println!("Random number: {}", random_number);
}

Algorithm Selection

You can select the algorithm at runtime:

use simple_rng::{RNG, Algorithm};

let mut rng = RNG::new(42);
rng.set_algorithm(Algorithm::Lcg); // or Algorithm::Pcg if enabled

API Overview

• RNG::new(seed: u64) - Create with a custom seed
• RNG::from_time() - Create seeded from system time (requires std feature)
• RNG::from_entropy() - Generates seed from system entropy (beta, requires std feature)
• set_algorithm(Algorithm) - Select LCG or PCG (if enabled)
• next() - Next random u64
• gen_range(min, max) - Random integer in [min, max]
• gen_float() - Random float in [0.0, 1.0)
• gen_bool() - Random boolean
• gen_unsigned(size: u8) - Random unsigned integer (8, 16, 32, 64 bits)
• gen_signed(size: u8) - Random signed integer (8, 16, 32, 64 bits)
• pick_random(slice) - Pick random element from slice, returns Option<&T>

Features

• std (enabled by default): Enables seeding from system time or entropy and other standard library features.
• pcg: Enables the PCG algorithm for improved randomness.
• no_std: Use in embedded or constrained environments.

Minimum Supported Rust Edition

2024

crates.io

https://crates.io/crates/simple_rng

License

MIT