Random-like class seeded with byte[]

[AndrewM16921]

Is there any variation of java.util.Random that can be seeded with an array of bytes rather than just a long? That is, a library anywhere that anyone knows of? Couldn't seem to find one on google. :|

I need to maintain long seeds as part of an evolution algorithm.

[AndrewM16921]

Well, I made my own I just hope it works well enough. If anyone knows of a library though, please let me know.

public class GeneticIterator
{
	private final byte[] data;
	private int index;
	
	public GeneticIterator(byte[] data)
	{
		if(data.length <= 0)
			throw new IllegalArgumentException("Array size must be positive");
		this.data = data;
		index = 0;
	}
	
	private void wrap()
	{
		while(index >= data.length)
			index -= data.length;
	}
	
	public void consume(int n)
	{
		if(n < 0)
			throw new IllegalArgumentException("n must be non-negative");
		index += n;
		wrap();
	}
	
	public boolean nextBoolean()
	{
		boolean bool = data[index++] < 0;
		wrap();
		return bool;
	}
	
	public byte nextByte()
	{
		byte b = data[index++];
		wrap();
		return b;
	}
	
	public byte[] nextBytes(int n)
	{
		byte[] data = new byte[n];
		for(int i = 0; i < data.length; i++)
		{
			data[i] = nextByte();
			wrap();
		}
		return data;
	}
	
	public short nextShort()
	{
		return ByteBuffer.wrap(nextBytes(Short.SIZE)).getShort();
	}
	
	public char nextChar()
	{
		return ByteBuffer.wrap(nextBytes(Character.SIZE)).getChar();
	}
	
	public int nextInt()
	{
		return ByteBuffer.wrap(nextBytes(Integer.SIZE)).getInt();
	}
	
	public long nextLong()
	{
		return ByteBuffer.wrap(nextBytes(Long.SIZE)).getLong();
	}
	
	public float nextFloat()
	{
		return ByteBuffer.wrap(nextBytes(Float.SIZE)).getFloat();
	}
	
	public double nextDouble()
	{
		return ByteBuffer.wrap(nextBytes(Double.SIZE)).getDouble();
	}
}

[JosAH]

Is there any variation of java.util.Random that can be seeded with an array of bytes rather than just a long? That is, a library anywhere that anyone knows of? Couldn't seem to find one on google. :|

I need to maintain long seeds as part of an evolution algorithm.

Define a hash function (method) that creates a long value given a byte array and use the long value for the seed of the pseudo random number generator.

kind regards,

Jos

[AndrewM16921]

Ah, good idea. Thanks! :)

[JosAH]

Maybe the (static) method hashCode(byte[] a) in the Arrays class can be of help; read its API documentation.

kind regards,

Jos

[sabre150]

Maybe the (static) method hashCode(byte[] a) in the Arrays class can be of help.

Since this returns an int rather than a long there is a loss of entropy. I would convert 4 bytes of a digest (it should not matter which 4) of the byte array to an long and use that as the seed. Since one is in effect truncating the digest to 4 bytes then it should not matter whether one uses MD5, SHA1, SHA2 or any of the established digest algorithm.

[AndrewM16921]

Since this returns an int rather than a long there is a loss of entropy. I would convert 4 bytes of a digest (it should not matter which 4) of the byte array to an long and use that as the seed. Since one is in effect truncating the digest to 4 bytes then it should not matter whether one uses MD5, SHA1, SHA2 or any of the established digest algorithm.

That's precisely what I ended up doing. :)

[JosAH]

Since this returns an int rather than a long there is a loss of entropy.

Golly, you're right; when I first read the API I mistakenly read a 'long' for the return type; it must've been a form of 'wishful reading' ... sorry about that.

kind regards,

Jos

[sabre150]

Golly, you're right;

Except that I have been working with the Arduino for the last couple of months where a long is 4 bytes but of course in Java a long is 8 bytes so I should have said select 8 bytes from the digest and not 4! Silly me.

[JosAH]

Except that I have been working with the Arduino for the last couple of months where a long is 4 bytes but of course in Java a long is 8 bytes so I should have said select 8 bytes from the digest and not 4! Silly me.

An Arduino? What a coincidence: I have an Arduino 2560 rigth in front of me: all pooped up with a vague wifi antenna, a couple of triacs and relais, two thermometers and a whole lot of wires ;-) (still waiting for a light meter and a humidity meter to arrive). I'm building something for home automation; it's fun (I use Java for the PC part of the entire application, so this reply is on topic).

kind regards,

Jos

[sabre150]

:-))))))) Interesting - I have a Mega 2560 connected via a USB to my main computer; cannot yet connect via WIFI. At the moment I am concentrating on bootstrapping my minimal test equipment (Power supplies + very old and flakey Tektronics D755) to a more usable set. I am currently using the Mega to create a signal generator using an AD9850 module and a frequency measurement system using the Mega's timers. Still crude but, apart from 'de-bouncing' problems, works well.

I also have a Raspberry Pi but have yet to find a real use for it. I can talk to hardware with it but to my mind it is much more limited than Mega 256. I'm hoping they will complement one another but at the moment I don't see the best way to use the combination.

One background project is to use the Mega to create an HSM. Still very much in it's infancy but very very doable.

I also use Java as a front end to the Mega so yes - still just about on topic!

P.S. Jos - I have sent you a private message.

[JosAH]

I only use those timers to dim a couple of triacs (that's a breeze); I hate it that the USB circuit resets that little Arduino (nothing a little soldering won't solve) but RXTX is ideal for communication purposes. I sent you a link to that WiFi antenna I'm using (I quit using the 'official' and expensive ethernet shield + a little wireless router). That Raspberry thingie is a little wonder i.m.h.o.

kind regards,

Jos (still on topic because I mentioned RXTX ;-)