Pseudorandom Value

Definition ∞ A pseudorandom value is a number or sequence of numbers that appears random but is generated by a deterministic algorithm using an initial seed. While not truly random, these values exhibit statistical properties that closely approximate genuine randomness. In cryptographic contexts, the quality of the pseudorandom number generator is crucial for maintaining security.
Context ∞ The generation of unpredictable pseudorandom values is fundamental for the security and fairness of many blockchain applications, including lotteries, gaming, and the selection of validators in certain consensus mechanisms. Ensuring sufficient entropy and resistance to manipulation is an ongoing research area. Flaws in this generation can severely compromise system integrity.