Full cycle

Computer Science Concepts

In a pseudorandom number generator, a full cycle, or full period, means that any valid seed state leads through every valid state before the generator returns to that seed. Its period therefore equals the size of the state space. Parameter restrictions are known for some generator types, but no general test exists other than exhausting the state space.

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Definition: A PRNG with a full cycle traverses every valid state before returning to its seed.
Known examples: Restrictions are known for linear congruential generators and linear-feedback shift registers.
General determination: No general method is known beyond exhausting the state space.

Sources and credits

Article: Full cycle (English Wikipedia)
Wikidata: Q5508175
Text: Card text is adapted from the English Wikipedia article by an automated summary. Wikipedia content is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for its contributors. CC BY-SA 4.0 · Article history and contributors
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