Deterministic Pseudorandom Values

Definition ∞ Deterministic pseudorandom values are sequences of numbers that appear random but are generated by an algorithm from an initial seed value. Given the same seed, the algorithm will always produce the exact same sequence. While suitable for many computational tasks, their predictability makes them unsuitable for security-critical applications requiring true unpredictability.
Context ∞ The use and misuse of deterministic pseudorandom values are often discussed in blockchain security analyses, especially when examining vulnerabilities in smart contracts or decentralized applications that require unpredictable outcomes. Developers must carefully consider the source of randomness to avoid exploitable patterns.