add 'rand' as a dynop

[coke]

To support TT #189, we need to create a 'rand' dynop.

Suggested forms:

$N0 = rand     # generate a random float between 0 and 1
$N0 = rand $N1 # generate a random float between 0 and $N1

Might also want

srand $N0 # seed RNG.

If there is a RNG, any attributes for it should probably go into the Parrot Interpreter object.

Should be added to src/dynoplibs/math.ops

[fperrad]

Currently, in some languages (Lua, Markdown, WMLScript), I use these pure PIR libraries :

• Math/Rand.pir
• Math/Random/mt1997ar.pir

Before starting a new effort (dynop or other), Rakudo (and others HLL) could try these libraries.

[coke]

Those libraries are psuedo-random. The dynop would presumably take advantage of the system's entropy source.

This ticket was opened as a result of the discussion about options on TT #189.

[allison]

Agreed on the suggested forms. Once these 3 dynops are implemented, we can remove the Random PMC and close TT #189.

[dukeleto]

Since random became "eligible in 1.1", can it be removed for the 1.5 release? The addition of the random dynops is done.

[coke]

Yes, it can be removed now.

[dukeleto]

The rand and srand dynops have been added and the Random PMC is now a distant memory. A ticket for making the RNG pluggable has been created as #923 .