Generate Random Numbers That Are Repeatable

Specify the Generator Algorithm and Seed

This example shows how to repeat arrays of random numbers by specifying the generator algorithm and seed first. Every time you initialize the generator using the same algorithm and seed, you always get the same result.

First, initialize the random number generator to make the results in this example repeatable. For example, the following code sets the seed to 1 and the generator algorithm to Mersenne Twister.

rng(1,"twister");

Next, create an array of random numbers.

A = rand(3,3)
A =

    0.4170    0.3023    0.1863
    0.7203    0.1468    0.3456
    0.0001    0.0923    0.3968

Repeat the same command.

A = rand(3,3)
A =

    0.5388    0.2045    0.6705
    0.4192    0.8781    0.4173
    0.6852    0.0274    0.5587

The first call to rand changed the state of the generator, so the second result is different.

Now, reinitialize the generator using the same seed and algorithm as before. Then reproduce the first matrix, A.

rng(1,"twister");
A = rand(3,3)
A =

    0.4170    0.3023    0.1863
    0.7203    0.1468    0.3456
    0.0001    0.0923    0.3968

Set the seed and generator type together when you want to:

  • Ensure that the behavior of code you write today returns the same results when you run that code in a future MATLAB® release.

  • Ensure that the behavior of code you wrote in a previous MATLAB release returns the same results using the current release.

  • Repeat random numbers in your code after running someone else’s random number code.

See the rng reference page for a list of available generators.

When you first start a MATLAB session or call rng("default"), MATLAB initializes the random number generator using the default algorithm and seed. You can set the default algorithm and seed in MATLAB settings (since R2023b). If you do not change these settings, then rng uses the factory value of "twister" for the Mersenne Twister generator with seed 0, as in previous releases. For more information, see Default Settings for Random Number Generator and Reproducibility for Random Number Generator.

Save and Restore the Generator Settings

This example shows how to create repeatable arrays of random numbers by saving and restoring the generator settings. The most common reason to save and restore generator settings is to reproduce the random numbers generated at a specific point in an algorithm or iteration. For example, you can use the generator settings as an aid in debugging. Unlike reseeding, which reinitializes the generator, this approach allows you to save and restore the generator settings at any point.

First, initialize the random number generator to make the results in this example repeatable.

rng(1,"twister");

Create an array of random integer values between 1 and 10.

A = randi(10,3,3)
A = 3×3    
     5     4     2
     8     2     4
     1     1     4

The first call to randi changed the state of the generator. Save the generator settings after the first call to randi in a structure s.

s = rng;

Create another array of random integer values between 1 and 10.

A = randi(10,3,3)
A = 3×3    
     6     3     7
     5     9     5
     7     1     6

Now, return the generator to the previous state stored in s and reproduce the second array A.

rng(s);
A = randi(10,3,3)
A = 3×3    
     6     3     7
     5     9     5
     7     1     6

See Also

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