[XeTeX] Random number primitives

[Karljürgen Feuerherm]

Well… does it have to be either/or, anyhow? Taking Apostolos’ last point, why not have a switch?

It makes sense to allow for cross-platform compatibility, but there’s no reason to think that *nobody* would appreciate an improved algorithm….

K

> On Nov 13, 2016, at 10:46, Apostolos Syropoulos <asyropoulos at yahoo.com> wrote:
> 
>> 
>> A major aim of the original request was to bring the functionality of
>> the xetex engine into line with pdftex and luatex to help in
>> developing cross engine macro code. So there are arguments for using
>> the same code here unless the existing code is really broken and
>> luatex/metafont/pdftex should all change.
>> 
> 
> 
> Let me say that I find this point of view far too conservative. OK METAFONT
> lives in the previous century but luatex and xetex are products of this
> century so they must utilize what is better. Also, the pint of introducing
> XeTeX was the need to handle things TeX had no provision. Fianlly, it would
> an excellent opportunity for XeTeX to do something better that the others....
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Apostolos
> 
> 
> ----------------------
> Apostolos Syropoulos
> Xanthi, Greece
> 
> 
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