HP41C random number generator help

[Trond]

(12-05-2017 12:30 PM)Namir Wrote:  A good and simple algorithm (used by HP since the HP-65 Stat Pacs) is:

r = frac(997 * r)

Code:

LBL "RAND"
RCL 00
997
*
FRC
STO 00
RTN

In my HHC2017 presentation about PRNGs, I pointed out that the above legacy algorithm is recommended for its speed, simplicity, and relatively good results for calculators.

Namir

I tried a version of this while trying to avoid "bad seeds". I built a program that first checks if the variable 00 has anything above 0 beyond the fifth decimal point, and if not it adds pi, then goes on to multiply with 997, does FRC and STO 00. If 00 does have a digit at the fifth decimal it will simply do the last three steps. Looks to work fine for me, but it is no longer as simple of course.